Women's Golf in Second at Ptarmigan/Ram Classic

FORT COLLINS ? The University of Colorado women's golf team opened the 2007 season here Monday at the Ptarmigan Ram Classic, with the Buffaloes ending the day in second place after two rounds of play.

“The first round wasn't too bad,” said head coach Anne Kelly. “The course was playing harder than last year with the wind and the cold weather. They had some first round nerves to battle, but they played well and worked through it.”

The Buffaloes were slow to start in the first round, but they rallied back in round two, improving by eight strokes and climbing from seventh place up to the No. 2 spot with a four-over par team score of 592. Their second round score of 292 marks the best round since last year at the Ram Classic when they also hit 292 after a school record 286 in the first round.

California holds the team lead through 36 holes with a five-over par score of 581. The Bears have distanced themselves from the rest of the field, as the Buffs are 11 shots back.

In the individual competition, Colorado has three players in the top 11 as sophomore Julie Kim is tied for fifth and sophomore Dominique Pytlewski and senior Lindsay Senger are tied for 10th. Kim leads the way for the Buffaloes with a two-over 146, and can lay claim to CU's low round today, an even par 72 in her second outing. She had 10 straight pars on holes five through 14 with a birdie on the end in the first round and played holes six through 12 to three under in the second round.

Colorado's second lowest tallies on the day came from Pytlewski and Senger, who each carded a one-over 73 in the afternoon, after posting identical first rounds scores of 74. Senger birdied three in a row on holes five through seven in her first round, closing out the front nine two-under par. The pair finished three-over par on the day with a score of 147, placing them in a tie for 10th.

After her first college round, freshman Stephanie Simich shot a 74, improving five strokes from her first-round, seven-over par 79. Simich finished with a nine-over 153, good for a tie for 40th.

“Stephanie (Simich) was a little nervous,” said Kelly. “That happens with almost every freshman in their first collegiate tournament. In the end they all settled down and started to play really well.”

Junior Cierra Ko (78-82?160) rounded out the Colorado scoring on the day. Ko's 78 in her first outing marks the first time her round has counted toward the Buffs' overall team score. She finished the day tied for 74th.

“We're on our way,” said Kelly. “We've got a good bunch of girls and they're working hard. It's always good to play a tournament round because it shows your strong points and weak points. We need to eliminate some of our bogeys and take advantage of every opportunity.”

The Buffaloes tee off at Ptarmigan at 8:30 on Tuesday morning and will try to close the gap between them and Cal. CU golf fans can follow the action at www.golfstat.com.

Buffalo Individuals

T5. Julie Kim...................... 74-72?146
T10. Dominique Pytlewski.... 74-73?147
T10. Lindsay Senger............ 74-73?147
T40. Stephanie Simich......... 79-74?153
T74. Cierra Ko..................... 78-82?160

Team Scores

1. California ....................... 288-293?581
2. Colorado....................... 300-292?592
3. Washington State........... 298-295?593
4. Brigham Young .............. 299-297?596
5. Idaho ............................. 299-299?598
T6. Texas Tech ................... 299-300?599
T6. Campbell ....................... 302-297?599
T8. San Jose State .............. 301-302?603
T8. Colorado State. .............. 297-306?603
10. Baylor ........................... 306-305?611
11. Wyoming ....................... 315-300?615
12. Eastern Washington ....... 308-309?617
13. Fresno State .................. 306-312?618
14. Portland State. ............... 306-316?622
T15. Long Beach State .......... 310-318?628
T15. Texas El Paso ............... 315-313?628
17. Nevada .......................... 309-323?632
18. Gonzaga ........................ 311-328?639
19. Weber State................... 321-324?645
20. Montana State................ 339-324?663

Top 11 Individuals

1. Mary Mattson (Campbell) ........................ 72-70?142
2. Shannon Yocum (California)..................... 73-71?144
T3. Pia Halbig (California) ............................. 71-74?145
T3. Daphne Vines (Brigham Young) ............... 75-70?145
T5. Hannah Burke (Baylor) ............................ 74-72?146
T5. Katrina Delen Briones (San Jose State) .. 75-71?146
T5. Diana Hong (Washington State)................ 73-73?146
T5. Julie Kim (Colorado).............................. 74-72?146
T5. Renee Skidmore (Idaho) .......................... 74-72?146
T10. Amy Eneroth (Washington State).............. 75-72?147
T10. Amanda Jacobs (Idaho)............................ 72-75?147
T10. Laura Luethke (Fresno State) .................. 74-73?147
T10. Maite Ortiz de Pinedo (Campbell).............. 75-72?147
T10. Dominique Pytlewski (Colorado)............ 74-73?147
T10. Lindsay Senger (Colorado) .................... 74-73?147
T10. Gloriana Soto (Texas Tech) 74-73?147