APSU Women’s Golf
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University women’s golf team struggled to a 318 score to sit in seventh place after the first day of the F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate, being played at the Clarksville Country Club.
Defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Murray State sits in first place after the first day with a 298, with Western Kentucky in second eight strokes back at 306, followed by Jacksonville State (311), Troy (313), Belmont (314) and Eastern Kentucky (317).
“We didn’t finish well,” APSU coach Sara Robson said. “Chelsea (Harris) bogeyed the last three holes, had two putts lip out. Rachel (Deaton) doubled the last hole so those two came in at 76 and 79.”
“The big numbers hurt us again,” Robson said. “We had quite a few doubles. Catie played well, minus three holes. She had two doubles (bogeys) and a triple. Ashley Averitt played well; she had a couple of doubles on the front nine but she fought her way back.
“We need to get rid of those big numbers. We need to go out tomorrow and have a few less punch-out shots.”
On the Lady Govs individual front, senior Ashley Wathen appeared to snap her recent slump, shooting a 77, including a one-under 36 on the back nine.
“Ashley Wathen shot one under on the back nine to shoot 77,” Robson said. “She had a tough front nine but didn’t let it get her down. She came out and showed us how she could play and that was good to see.”
In addition, freshman Tala Mumford recorded her career’s first sub-80 round with a 79 while sophomore Tabitha Beard, still adjusting to playing with a wrist brace after last winter’s surgery, came in at 80 while sophomore Holly Batey was at 91.
“I was really pleased to see Tabitha shoot that 80,” Robson said. “Her wrist seemed to hold up pretty good today so that is a pretty good indication.
“And Tala shot 79—that is a good score for her out here. It was nice to under that 80 mark. Once you are there (under 80), it is easier to stay there.”
Western Kentucky’s Jordan Magruder leads all individuals, shooting the tourney’s only subpar round with a one-under 71. Murray State’s Caroline Lagerborg is in second after firing a 72.
The tourney’s final 18 holes will be played Tuesday morning from a shotgun start on the 5,960-yard layout.
