APSU Women’s Golf
Richmond, KY – Junior Ashley Averitt, playing as an individual, shot a career-best two-under par 70 in the first round of the rain-delayed EKU Lady Colonel Classic, Saturday, at the Arlington Golf Course. However, it is senior Chelsea Harris who leads the Lady Govs heading into the final day of tourney competition.
The tourney was delayed more than three hours by rain storms that swept through eastern Kentucky. As a result, the second round was not completed. In fact, the Lady Govs were still on holes 14 and 15 when darkness ended the competition. Those remaining holes and the third round will be played Sunday.
“It was a long, long day,” APSU coach Sara Robson said. “We had to sit for 3 ½ hours before going back out. The winds started to pick up; we were OK hitting with them behind or into them, but we struggled with the cross winds.
“We had moved up to sixth but we lost some strokes on the last four holes. I really believe we just got tired and it cost us on those last few holes.”
Averitt’s two-under 70 was by far her best single-round, topping a 77 she shot twice during the fall. Tied for first place with Murray State Morgan Cross–the only two players shooting under par during the first round—Averitt’s round included three birdies (Nos. 1, 9, 10) and only one bogey.
Unfortunately, Averitt’s outstanding round didn’t count as part of the team score. Also, she had trouble maintaining the momentum in Round 2. She was at plus-eight overall heading into her final five holes of the second round.
“She had trouble controlling her adrenaline at the start of the second round,” Robson said. “She played so well that first round and sometimes when you haven’t been there it is hard to control that adrenaline. Hopefully, she can out tomorrow relaxed and play well those final holes and then finish up strong in the final round.”
Meanwhile, Harris is playing the second round at even par through 14 holes after shooting a 78 in the opening round. In fact, she and teammate Ashley Wathen were tied in 28th place after the first round. Harris’ six-over par now has her tied for sixth overall.
Wathen, who was six over for the first round, is six over in the second heading into her final three holes. Fellow senior Catie Tucker, who shot an opening-round 79, finds herself at seven over in the second round also heading into her final three holes.
Freshman Rachel Deaton, who shot an opening-round 81, is seven-over in the second round with four holes to play while sophomore Holly Batey, who has been one of the Lady Govs most consistent golfer this spring, struggled with the greens at Arlington. After shooting an opening-round 84, she is 10 over in the second round.
Another Lady Govs’ individual, Tala Mumford, shot 79 in the opening-round, but was just three-over par with four holes to play in the second round.
APSU’s other individual Tabitha Beard shot an opening-round 86 but bounced to sit at seven-over par in the second round with five holes to play.
“We just need to get off to a good start tomorrow,” Robson said. “We need to finish up strong the second round and carry that momentum into the final round.”
