Buffs Eighth At Dick McGuire Invite

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of Colorado women's golf team followed up its worst round of the season by shooting one of the best team rounds in CU history to finish the day tied for eighth after 36-holes at the 2011 Branch Law Firm Dick McGuire Invitational, held here at the UNM Championship Course.

In uncharacteristic fashion, the Buffs as a team shot a 14-over par 306 in the first round on the 6,187-yard, par 73 course. They then rebounded to shoot even par in the second round, just the 13th round in school history CU has shot even or under par as a team, and the Buffs moved up from a tie for 16th to eighth place with a 36-hole total of 14-over par 598.

“It was a very rough first round,” CU head coach Anne Kelly said. “I don't know what happened to my team, they disappeared, everybody except Kristin (Coleman). It wasn't the same team that played in the practice round yesterday. We did make a nice comeback this afternoon, but I don't really have any answers for what happened this morning, except that we didn't play very well.”

Northwestern leads the field with a two round total of 2-over par 586 with Denver just two strokes back at 4-over par 588 and TCU another stroke back at 5-over par 589. Baylor and San Diego State are tied for fourth at 8-over par 592. Just ahead of the Buffs in sixth are Pepperdine at 12-over par 596 and Iowa State at 13-over par 597.

Coleman led the way for the Buffs in the first round, shooting an even par 73 with four birdies and four bogeys. She started strong in the second round opening with a pair of birdies to go 2-under par. She had a five-hole stretch at 5-over par and after two more birdies late in the round, she had a double bogey on the second-to-last hole to finish the second round at 3-over par 76 for a two-round total of 3-over par 149 to sit tied for 19th.

“Kristin has made significant progress with her swing and ball striking,” Kelly said. “She made a lot of birdies but unfortunately had a few holes that hurt her, as well.”

Sophomore Alex Stewart, fighting a severe cold, fought tough and after shooting 4-over par 77 in the first round, she rebounded to shoot even par 73 in the second round, including a birdie on her last hole to get back to even par for the round and 4-over par 150 overall. Senior Emily Talley struggled putting and shot a 3-over par 76 in the first round and 2-over par 75 in the second to finish at 5-over par 151.

“Alex really played strong,” Kelly said. “She's very ill and toughed it out, she showed a lot of heart. Emily's putting issues were unfortunate. She is one of the best putters I know, so I know she will rebound.”

The team comeback was made possible by the individual comebacks of both sophomore Jenny Coleman and junior Taylor Doyle. Jenny Coleman improved 11 strokes from a first round 9-over par 82 to a second round 2-under par 71. That marks her third round under par this season, tops on the team, and she improved from 88th to 51st place. Doyle made a similar comeback, after shooting 7-over par 80 in the first round, she shot even par 73 in the second. The two are tied at 7-over par 151 as Doyle improved from 80th place to 51st.

“I'm really proud of the comeback that Jenny put together,” Kelly said. “And Taylor, too. They both hung in there after a round first round to help us move up the leader board in the second round.”

Senior Jessica Wallace is not with the Buffs this weekend as she traveled to Florida where she was invited to Stage II of the LPGA Qualifying. She is playing in a 72-hole stroke play event at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla. The top 70 players plus ties will advance to the finals, which will take place Nov. 28-Dec. 4 at LPGA International at Daytona Beach, Fla. Some players who do not qualify will still receive 2012 LPGA Futures Tour Status depending on their finish.

Wallace has practice rounds Sunday and Monday and the first of four rounds begins Tuesday and wraps up Friday.

Meanwhile, the Dick McGuire Invitational concludes Monday with the final 18 holes.

BUFFALOES INDIVIDUALS
t-19.	Kristin Coleman	73-76—149
t-24.	Alex Stewart	77-73—150
t-37.	Emily Talley	76-75—151
t-51.	Jenny Coleman	82-71—153
t-51.	Taylor Doyle	80-73—153

TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS
1.	Sofia Hoglund, N. Mexico	71-68—139
2.	Gina Clark. S.D. State	68-73—141
3.	Kelly Drack, Denver	73-70—143
4.	Devon Brown, Northwestern	70-74—144
t-5.	Brooke Beeler, TCU	73-72—145
t-5.	Hayley Davis, Baylor	72-73—145
t-5.	Grace Na, Pepperdine	75-70—145
t-5.	Sammi Stevens, N. Mexico	74-71—145
t-5.	Lauren Weaver, Northwestern	71-74—145

TEAM STANDINGS
1.	Northwestern	290-296—586
2.	Denver	301-287—588
3.	TCU	295-294—589
t-4.	Baylor	294-298—592
t-4.	San Diego State	294-298—592
6.	Pepperdine	300-296—596
7.	Iowa State	300-297—597
8.	Colorado	306-292—598
t-9.	New Mexico	305-298—603
t-9.	Campbell	302-301—603
11.	North Texas	298-307—605
t-12.	Colorado State	309-300—609
t-12.	UTEP	303-306—609
14.	San Jose State	308-302—610
15.	UNLV	305-310—615
16.	Iowa	306-311—617
17.	Wyoming	303-315—618
18.	Northern Arizona	309-314—623

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jenny Coleman

Kristin Coleman

Taylor Doyle

Alex Stewart

Emily Talley

Jessica Wallace