Buffs 11th At Northrop Grumann

PALOS VERDES, Calif.—The No. 23 University of Colorado women's golf team sits in 11th place at the 2012 Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge after the first round of play Monday here at the Palos Verdes Golf Club.

The Buffaloes shot a team score of 19-over par 303 and are just one stroke behind a three-way tie for eighth and eight strokes out of third place entering Tuesday's second round on the par 71, 5,912-yard course.

“We did a lot of good things,” CU coach Anne Kelly said. “Our ball striking still looks good, we just need to save a few shots around the greens and hit some more putts and we'll be in business.”

In one of the top fields in which the Buffaloes have ever participated, each of the 15 teams participating are ranked in the top 43 nationally, with three top 10 and seven top 20 teams in attendance. The nation's top team, UCLA, and top individual, Duke's Lindy Duncan, are in the field.

“It was a cool day,” Kelly said of the conditions. “It was nice. We had a little bit of rain but the sun poked out. It was cool and crisp and a little breezy at times, but in all a very nice day.”

No. 1 UCLA leads the way after shooting even par 284 and the Bruins hold an eight-stroke advantage over No. 18 Duke, who is second at 8-over par 292. No. 39 Denver is third at 11-over par 295 while host and No. 12 Ohio State and No. 32 Florida State are tied for fourth at 12-over par 296. Two-thirds (10 of 15) of the field is within nine strokes of each other between 11-over and 20-over par.

“It's a very good tournament,” Kelly said. “Everybody's bunched in there, it's a great field. We're excited to be here, but we just need to do a little better tomorrow and pull ourselves up. It's a great, course, tournament and field, really a first class event.”

The Buffaloes in 11th place are still ahead of two teams ranked higher than they are, No. 19 Oregon and No. 21 UC Davis, and just one stroke behind No. 8 Arizona State and No. 14 Florida.

Sophomore Jenny Coleman, playing on her high school's home course, shot a 3-over par 74, the same scorecard turned in by senior Jessica Wallace and the two are tied for 22nd individually. Coleman had the most consistent round for the Buffaloes with four bogeys and a birdie. Wallace got to 3-over with four birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey. Save a stretch of 4-over on three holes, Wallace played the other 15 holes at 1-under.

“Jess and Jenny played OK,” Kelly said. “I don't think they were satisfied, but the conditions were a little tough coming in. It got a little breezy.”

Sophomore Alex Stewart shot a 6-over par 77 and is tied for 48th. Right on her heels was senior Emily Talley, who carded a 7-over par 78 and is tied for 54th. Sophomore Kristin Coleman finished at 11-over par 82 and tied for 71st. Stewart, starting on the 10th, played her first eight holes at even par and then had a stretch of five straight bogeys before closing out her round with four pars in the last five holes. Talley had back-to-back double bogeys as she made the turn and otherwise played the other 16 holes at 3-over.

Both Jenny and Kristin Coleman were recovering from a stomach virus that hit them just after last week's Arizona Wildcat Invitational.

“Kristin and Jenny are both still recovering,” Kelly said. “I don't think Kristin was up to par at all today. Hopefully they can both get some rest and get stronger throughout the next two rounds.”

The Buffs continue the event with the second round Tuesday and it concludes Wednesday. The Buffs will be in the second wave teeing off on the 10th hole and will get their rounds underway between 9:15 and 9:51 a.m. pacific time.

BUFFALOES INDIVIDUALS
t-22.	Jenny Coleman	74
t-22.	Jessica Wallace	74
t-48.	Alex Stewart	77
t-54.	Emily Talley	78
t-71.	Kristin Coleman	82

TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS
1.	Rachel Watton, Denver	67
2.	Lindy Duncan, Duke	69
t-3.	Susana Benavides, Ohio State	70
t-3.	Alejandra Cangrejo, Duke	70
t-3.	Lee Lopez, UCLA	70
t-3.	Maria Salinas, Florida State	70

TEAM STANDINGS
1.	UCLA	284
2.	Duke	292
3.	Denver	295
t-4.	Florida State	296
t-4.	Ohio State	296
6.	Southern California	297
7.	Pepperdine	300
t-8.	Arizona State	302
t-8.	Michigan State	302
t-8.	Florida	302
11.	Colorado	303
12.	Oregon	304
t-13.	Wake Forest	310
t-13.	Oklahoma	310
15.	UC Davis	312

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Players Mentioned

Jenny Coleman

Kristin Coleman

Alex Stewart

Emily Talley

Jessica Wallace