CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 7, 2024) – The phrase "The early bird catches the worm" proved to be true in Sunday's first round at the Chattanooga Classic.
 
The ETSU women's golf team was the first group to tee off at Council Fire Golf Club – going out at 8:30 a.m. – and after waiting several hours for the remaining teams to finish play, the Buccaneers were left sitting atop the team leaderboard at 6-over-par 290. With three Bucs inside the top-10, the Blue & Gold have a one-shot lead over Western Kentucky (+7) and a four-stroke advantage over North Florida and South Florida – who are tied for third at 10-over-par 294.
 
ETSU, coming off a win last time out at The Low Country Intercollegiate, saw Sophie Bert be only one of six golfers in the 88-player field post a score below par on Sunday. Bert finished strong as she carded three birdies over her final five holes to finish tied for third at 1-under 70.
 
Likewise, Brianna Castaldi birdied three of her final four holes to move into the top-10 as she and teammate Grace Chin are tied for ninth at 1-over 72. Chin was three-under through her first 13 holes but played the last five holes at four-over to record the 72.
 
North Florida's One Kashima will take the individual lead into Monday's second round at 4-under 67. Kashima has a two-shot lead over Xavier's Darrelyn Webster and a three-shot advantage over four golfers – including Bert – who are tied for third at 1-under 70.
 
As a team, ETSU led the field in par-3 (3.12) and par-4 (4.11) scoring, while the Bucs totaled 13 birdies and 57 pars on Sunday.
 
After being the first group out on Sunday, the Bucs will be the last to tee off in Monday's second round. ETSU, who is paired with North Florida and Western Kentucky, tee off starting at 12:10 p.m.
 
Click here for full scoring.
 
For more information on Buccaneer women's golf, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women's golf page.