56.7 F
Clarksville
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeSportsAustin Peay Lady Govs Golf in fifth place tie in EKU Colonel...

Austin Peay Lady Govs Golf in fifth place tie in EKU Colonel Classic

APSU Sports: Austin Peay Women’s Golf

Austin Peay State University Lady GovsRichmond, KY – With redshirt sophomore Tabitha Beard leading the way, Friday, Austin Peay State University women’s golf team sits in a fifth-place tie after the first two rounds of the EKU Colonel Classic, being played at Arlington Club.

Austin Peay Women's Golf. (Courtesy: Austin Peay Sports Information)
Austin Peay Women's Golf. (Courtesy: Austin Peay Sports Information)

After sitting in seventh place after shooting an opening-round 318, the Lady Govs bounced back with an impressive 307 in Friday’s second round, being played on the par-72, 5,809-yard layout. The 307 was by far the Lady Govs best spring season round.

The Lady Govs stand at 625, tying them with Bowling Green. Tourney leader Akron is just eight shots ahead at 617, followed by Toledo (619), Morehead State (620) and Ball State (624) in the 13-team field.

Tabitha Beard“We did get off to a better start in the first round today, although we did leave some shots out there,” Lady Govs coach Sara Robson said. “I was really proud of the way we played the second round. We played more like I know this team can play.

“I have said all along this team was talented. I was really pleased with the way they kept their focus on a day that was chilly and windy.”

Tala MumfordAnd no Lady Gov played better than Beard, the redshirt sophomore from Centerville, TN. After having overcome nearly two years of wrist issues, Beard is playing her career’s best golf.  Without question, Friday was Beard’s best performance this season and maybe of her career.

She sits in a second-place tie after two rounds, firing an opening-round 76 to go with a second-round two-over-par 74 for a 150 total. Her first round included a trio of birdies along with five bogeys and a double bogey. She had four birdies, two bogeys and two double bogeys on the second round. In fact, she entered the final four holes of the second round even, until suffering a double bogey on No. 1.

“Tabitha really played well today,” Robson said. “You could see it starting to come together for her over the last few weeks. In the last few rounds (leading up to the EKU tourney), she would hit the ball really well, but didn’t putt well or putt well, but not necessarily hit the ball that well. Today, she put it together.

“And if she not had that double late, she would be tied for the lead.”

She received plenty of assistance from freshman Meghan Mueller, who is tied for 12th after shooting 77-78 for a 155. One shot back is junior Lauren Bond, who shot 80-76=156, tying her for 20th.

Ashley AverittSophomore Tala Mumford, who struggled with an 85 in the opening round, came back with an 82 in the final round to be at 167, the same score of Ashley Averitt. However,  the senior bounced back from an opening-round 88 to shoot a 79 in the second, that score helping play a key role in APSU moving up two spots in the overall standings. A third 167 (85-82) came from junior Holly Batey, who was playing as an individual.

“We were leading heading into the final three holes,” Robson said. “We gave some (shots) away. We lacked some confidence-we couldn’t forget about some bad shot and allowed them to affect us on the next holes. That has been our nemesis all year.

“What we have to do tomorrow is forget about today and concentrate on making good shots and hitting greens.”

EKU Colonel Classic – Rounds 1 and 2

Finish School – Players Round 1 Round 2 Totals
T 5 Austin Peay State University 318 307 625
T 2 Tabitha Beard (2) 76 74 150
T 12 Meghan Mueller (4) 77 78 155
T 20 Lauren Bond (3) 80 76 156
T 56 Tala Mumford (1) 85 82 167
T 56 Ashley Averott (5) 88 79 167
T 56 Holly Batey 82 85 167
RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles