APSU Sports Information
Carbondale, IL – Specialized efforts to improve the team’s short game paid off for APSU women’s golf team, Sunday, during the first-round play of the Saluki Invitational at Hickory Ridge Golf Course.
Austin Peay State University will head to the tourney’s final day just one shot off the lead.
“We played well today—and not for the 15th hole where we lost five shots from counters—it could have something really special,” APSU coach Sara Robson said. “We played smart for the most part and kept our focus. While we had pretty good weather for the most part this winter and spring, we have had wind almost every day and are used to it. We played it pretty well today.
“All we needed today was just a few more putts to drop.”
Missed putts were the only element of the short lagging, Sunday. Less than a week after chipping issues resulted in a fifth-place finish at the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate, APSU flipped it into a positive Sunday.
“We took a little different approach with our chipping at practice,” Robson said. “We worked on hitting spots this week instead of trying to get the ball close. And in the practice round we talked about, if we were going to miss, where we wanted to miss—to put them in a better position for that next shot. We made them write it down.”
Obviously, it paid off. In fact, senior Jessica Cathey sits in a third-place tie after the first round, shooting a 3-over 74.
“Jessica shot a 74 and really could not get a putt to drop,” Robson said. “She was very close to having one of those days.”
Cathey was one of five Lady Govs to shoot a sub-80 score—a first for APSU this season. Sophomore AnnaMichelle Moore had a 76 while junior Morgan Kauffman and freshman Ashton Goodley each fired 77s.
Taylor Goodley, Ashton’s twin sister, had a more than respectable 78.
Moore, who her best round this season, owned the second lowest score on par 4s while she and Cathey tied for second with most birdies (three) for the day.
The Lady Govs will be playing in the final group with an opportunity to claim their first spring title and second this season.
“We have to go out and play relaxed, follow the game plan and let things happen,” Robson said. “We need to get a few more putts to drop…and played No. 15 better.”
Box Score
Saluki Invitational
Hickory Ridge
Carbondale, IL
2016 Saluki Invitational
| Pos. | School – Players | Round 1 | Totals |
| T 2 | Austin Peay State University | 304 | 304 |
| T 3 | Jessica Cathey (1) | 74 | 74 |
| T 12 | AnnaMichelle Moore (5) | 76 | 76 |
| T 18 | Morgan Kauffman (3) | 77 | 77 |
| T 18 | Ashton Goodley (4) | 77 | 77 |
| T 22 | Taylor Goodley (2) | 78 | 78 |
