Women's Golf Leads Ptarmigan/Ram Classic

FORT COLLINS, Colo. ? Thanks to a school record-tying two-under par team score in the first round here Monday, the University of Colorado women's golf team leads the Ptarmigan/Ram Classic hosted by Colorado State after 18 holes.

The first round was one for the books, as the Buffaloes burst out of the gate with a program-best tying 286 for the first round, two strokes under par and CU's best ever first round effort of any tournament. It ties the single round team record, which was set in the second round of the Heather Farr Memorial in 2001. The Buffs boast a four stroke lead over Baylor (290) and six stroke lead over Colorado State (292) after the first round.

The second round was not completed, as the Buffs had players with anywhere from three to six holes left to play.

“I'm very, very happy with how we played today,” said CU head coach Anne Kelly. “Obviously we're excited to be in contention, and there is more work to be done tomorrow, but I'm really very pleased with how we got started.”

A new face led the Buffs in the morning session, as freshman Julie Kim posted a four-under 68, the second-best round in school history in tournament play (Jolene Fellhauer, 67, Pioneer Invitational 2002) and the best-ever for a freshman golfer. She posted two birdies on each side and played perfect par golf the rest of the way to put her in second place after one round. It's the first sub-70 round for Colorado in over a year, as Hannah Hoch was the last to do it, shooting a 69 at the MountainView Collegiate in 2005.

“Julie played some amazing golf today, especially when you consider it is her first collegiate tournament,” said Kelly. “She was a little more consistent in the morning, but she really battled for birdies in the afternoon round and has managed to keep herself in contention.”

Hoch also saw a return to her form of two years ago with a 74 in the morning round, which was one off her best round (73) of all of 2005-06.

“Hannah had a solid first round and has continued to play well in the second,” said Kelly. “She had everything going today and has played really consistent golf.”

Perhaps the biggest and best surprise of the day came from junior Lindsay Senger, who had a career best round of 71 in the morning, her first under par round at Colorado. She posted four birdies against three bogeys to post that score.

“Senger has worked so hard the last two years, essentially retooling everything in her golf game, and that work is really paying off for her,” Kelly said. “She has got every part of her swing working for her and it's great to see it pay dividends.”

Sophomore Lindsay Caljouw was also on form, as she posted a one-over 73 in the morning round. Freshman Dominique Pytlewski struggled in her first collegiate competition, posting an 11-over 83.

Colorado also had two individuals participate, senior Lindsay Koth and freshman Christine Kim. Koth posted a five-over 77 in the morning, with Christine Kim putting up a six-over 78.

"Obviously we're happy with how we played today," said Kelly. "It is a great lesson for us to be in contention after the first day and we will learn from it no matter what. We are having a lot of fun and hopefully that continues tomorrow."

The second round of the Ptarmigan/Ram Invitational will resume Tuesday morning. Live stats are available at www.golfstat.com.

SCHOOL......................................................................... SCORE

1. COLORADO........................................................ 286

2. Baylor .................................................................. 290

3. San Jose State..................................................... 291

4. Colorado State...................................................... 292

4. Fresno State ........................................................ 292

6. California ............................................................. 301

7. Eastern Washington............................................. 303

8. Kansas.................................................................. 295

8. Long Beach State ................................................ 295

10. Montana................................................................ 302

11. Montana State...................................................... 307

11. Portland State....................................................... 307

13. Arkansas State..................................................... 308

14. Wyoming.............................................................. 313

15. Gonzaga............................................................... 319

16. Weber State.......................................................... 327

17. Northern Colorado ............................................... 328

COLORADO

2. Julie Kim............................................................... 68

9. Lindsay Senger..................................................... 71

T14. Lindsay Caljouw................................................... 73

T23. Hannah Hoch....................................................... 74

T77. Dominique Pytlewski............................................ 83

Colorado Individuals

T45. Lindsay Koth......................................................... 77

T60. Christine Kim........................................................ 79

INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD (TOP 10 AFTER 18 HOLES)

1. Kay Hoey (Long Beach State)............................. 67

2. Julie Kim (Colorado).......................................... 68

2. Megan Chapman (Colorado State)...................... 68

4. Jennifer Shipley (Fresno State)........................... 70

4. Chloe Nelson (Eastern Washington).................... 70

4. Amanda Costner (Kansas)................................... 70

4. Laura Luethke (Fresno State) ............................. 70

4. Natalie Hocott (Baylor) ........................................ 70

9. Lindsay Senger (Colorado)............................... 71

9. Sirapa Kasemsamran (San Jose State................ 71

11. Natalie Stone (Colorado State)............................ 72

11. Allison Martin (Baylor) ......................................... 72

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Lindsay Caljouw

Hannah Hoch

Christine Kim

Julie Kim

Lindsay Koth

Dominique Pytlewski

Lindsay Senger

University of Colorado Athletics