Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Rounds One/Two
Women's Golf in Second Place at CSU
September 08, 2008 | Women's Golf
FORT COLLINS ? Thanks to the two best rounds in program history and a day full of new individual records, the University of Colorado women's golf team kicked off the 2008-09 season in second place at the Ptarmigan/Ram Fall Classic hosted by Colorado State here Monday.
“I am really proud of our girls today, but honestly I have to say that we have the potential to play even better than we did,” said head coach Anne Kelly. “We didn't make a whole lot of putts in the first round, and while I'm happy with our finish today, we're still getting there and we have better rounds in us.”
The first round was one for the books, as the Buffaloes burst out of the gate with a program-best, two-under 283, only to break that brief record by four strokes in the second round as they carded a nine-under 279 to hold on to second place. The previous single round team record was a two-under 286, accomplished twice, with the most recent being in 2006-07 at the Ptarmigan/Ram Fall Classic when the Buffs went on to win the tournament.
Colorado finished the morning round in first place with a one-stroke lead over California, but despite improving by five strokes in the second round, the Buffs slipped one spot into second place behind the Golden Bears. California holds the team lead through 36 holes with a 19-under par score of 557. Colorado is just five strokes back (283-279?562) in second place, with Louisville (284-286?570) a distant eight strokes behind the Buffs in third.
“We did a lot better than expected because usually with two freshmen in the lineup you expect them to have freshmen jitters, but they didn't,” said junior Dominique Pytlewski. “It's a good feeling to have an entire team actually fighting for the top spot as opposed to the past when it was a little more spread out. It's great to see the entire team doing well.”
In the individual competition, Colorado, boasting a young but talented roster, placed three players in the top-10. The Buffs are competing alongside an experienced California roster, as the Bears feature a pair of seniors, including the reigning British Women's Amateur champion, Roseanne Niven.
A new face led CU in the afternoon, as freshman Emily Childs posted a five-under 67, tying the school record for the lowest 18-hole round. In her first collegiate tournament, Childs carded a six-under par 138 and is currently tied for first place. Childs' 138 gives her the new 36-hole school record, breaking teammate Pytlewski's record of 141 that she set last season. In the first round, Childs recorded four bogeys and four birdies in an eight-hole stretch in the middle of the course, but she managed to calm down in the second round and focus on her consistency, carding two birdies, one bogey and playing five holes to par over the same eight-hole span. Childs led the field of 95 players with 11 total birdies.
“We knew Emily (Childs) was a good player and today further proved that,” said Kelly. “She's just a solid, consistent player and it was fun to watch.”
“I was really nervous during the entire round actually, especially the last two holes,” said Childs. “I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest, but I finished so that's was good. We've been practicing a lot and we've all been playing really well and it's nice to finally get out and play in a tournament. It's a great feeling being able to travel with (Emily) Talley since we've never been on the same team together and now we are able to play with each other. It's great to have another freshman on the team with me doing well.”
Pytlewski led the Buffs in the morning round as she carded her career-low single round score of 69. Pytlewski opened the first round with back-to-back birdies and was three-under before bogeying the 14th hole. Pytlewski bounced back two holes later with another birdie, putting her at three-under going into the second round. Pytlewski ran into a bumpy stretch in the middle of the course in the afternoon, but managed to close out the round with an eagle on a par four on hole No. 17. Pytlewski wrapped up the day in a tie for third place with a two round score of 69-70?139, good for her career-best 36-hole effort.
“When I heard that (Emily) Childs shot a 67 but it could have been as low as a 63 if some of her putts would have dropped, I was really happy,” said Pytlewski. “It's cool being able to play at this level. It's definitely a good field and strong competition considering that we won the tournament at one-over par two years ago and now there are three teams under par after two rounds.”
Freshman Emily Talley followed close behind Childs and Pytlewski as she carded a 70-70?140, good for a tie for seventh place. Talley was one-over 13 holes into her first round, but she closed out the last five holes with three birdies, moving her up significantly in the individual standings going into the second round. In the afternoon, Talley played 13 holes to par and matched her first-round score of 70 to finish her first two rounds at the collegiate level.
“The freshmen have brought so much enthusiasm to the team,” said Kelly. “They're definitely excited and a little nervous, but they're not scared and they're having fun. It certainly helps the team play better when you have four players with the potential to win a tournament. They are all friends and they get along, but in the end they all want to win, which is the best thing you can have on a team. It's very healthy competition”
Junior Julie Kim, coming back from a back injury and playing in her first tournament since the beginning of the spring season last year, finished the day in a tie for 18th after carding a one-over two round total of 145. Kim nearly finished her second round at two-under par, but after an unfortunate double-bogey on her final hole she carded an even par 72.
“Domi played solid golf today and it's nice to have Julie back in the lineup,” said Kelly. “Julie had a tough time finishing her rounds, but she is clearly on track to get back in there and she showed us a lot today.”
Sophomore Stephanie Simich rounded out the scoring for the Buffs, as she carded a 79-75?154 on the day, good for a tie for 61st place.
The Buffaloes tee off the final round at Ptarmigan at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning and they will be looking to pass California in the team standings and start the season off with a first place finish. CU golf fans can follow the action at www.golfstat.com
BUFFALO INDIVIDUALS
T1..... Emily Childs.................... 71-67-138
T3..... Dominique Pytlewski....... 69-70-139
T7..... Emily Talley.................... 70-70-140
T18... Julie Kim......................... 73-72-145
T61... Stephanie Simich............ 79-75-154
TEAM SCORES
1. California........................ 284-273-557
2. Colorado........................ 283-279-562
3. Louisville........................ 284-286-570
4. San Jose State............... 287-292-579
5. Long Beach State............ 287-293-580
6. Baylor............................. 292-292-584
7. Fresno State................... 292-294-586
8. San Francisco................. 293-296-589
9. Brigham Young............... 302-291-593
10. Colorado State................ 299-295-594
11. Idaho.............................. 309-288-597
12. Washington State............ 300-298-598
13. Wyoming........................ 306-295-601
14. Texas El Paso................. 305-299-604
15. Texas Tech..................... 303-303-606
16. Campbell........................ 305-302-607
17. New Mexico State........... 314-299-613
18. Northern Colorado........... 310-309-619
19. Montana State................. 318-312-630
TOP-10 INDIVIDUALS
1. Emily Childs, Colorado.................... 71-67-138
Shannon Yocum, California................ 71-67-138
3. Allison Goodman, California.............. 72-67-139
Pia Halbig, California......................... 69-70-139
Cindy LaCrosse, Louisville................. 70-69-139
Dominique Pytlewski, Colorado....... 69-70-139
7. Morgan Chambers, Baylor................. 72-68-140
Kay Hoey, Long Beach State............. 71-69-140
Emily Talley, Colorado..................... 70-70-140
10. Sara-Maude Juneau, Louisville........... 71-70-141
