APSU Sports: Austin Peay Women’s Golf
Dickson, TN – Despite shooting its spring’s second finest round, Austin Peay State University women’s golf team sits in fifth place after Sunday’s first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Golf Championships, being held at GreyStone Golf Club.
Despite cold and breezy conditions, the Lady Govs shot a 316, seven shots better than their average this season. Jacksonville State leads the way with a 296, followed by Morehead State (299) and Murray State (307). Eastern Kentucky sits in fourth place just six shots ahead of the Lady Govs firing a 310.Eastern Illinois and Tennessee Tech are tied for sixth at 330 while Tennessee State is playing just a trio of individuals after watching their roster decimated by injury and family-related issues.
Redshirt sophomore Tabitha Beard continued her strong spring play by shooting a four-over 76 to lead the Lady Govs. She had one birdie (No. 2) and four bogeys during her round on the 5,964-yard layout.
Tala Mumford and Holly Batey, who earned the team’s final two tourney spots by winning the qualifier earlier this week, were APSU’s next two best performers with a 78 and 79, respectively. Both recorded one birdie apiece. Junior Lauren Bond came in with an 83 while No. 1 golfer Rachel Deaton, struggled during the early going but finally got it going late to finish at 84.
“A 316 is not a bad start for us at all,” APSU coach Sara Robson said. “I was really proud of Tab; she really played well. I know she was probably kicking herself after missing a 2-3 foot birdie putt (No. 11), but the 76 was a good score for her in her first OVC tournament round.
“Both Holly and Tabitha had double (bogeys) late or their scores would have been better. And both Rachel and Lauren played well, but their putters let them down. We feel like we got it figured out later in the round and both putted well on the last few holes.”
“We shot seven or eight shots better than our average today,” Robson said. “We have to be pleased with that, especially when you also take into account this was the first OVC tournament round for four of our young ladies. If we can putt better tomorrow then I think we can improve on that score.”
OVC Women’s Golf Tournament – Day 1
Position | Team | Score | Par |
1 | Jacksonville State | 296 | +8 |
2 | Morehead State | 299 | +11 |
3 | Murray State | 307 | +19 |
4 | Eastern Kentucky | 310 | +22 |
5 | Austin Peay State | 316 | +28 |
T 6 | Tennessee Tech | 330 | +42 |
T 6 | Eastern Illinois | 330 | +42 |
Position | School – Players | Round 1 | Total |
5 | Austin Peay State University | 316 | 316 |
10 | Tabitha Beard (2) | 76 | 76 |
T 12 | Tala Mumford (5) | 78 | 78 |
T 18 | Holly Batey (4) | 79 | 79 |
27 | Lauren Bond (3) | 83 | 83 |
T28 | Rachel Deaton (1) | 84 | 83 |