Colorado University Athletics
HOCH IN SIXTH AT UTAH DIXIE
ST. GEORGE, Utah ? Hannah Hoch (76-72-148) is in sole possession of sixth place, just six strokes off the lead, and the University of Colorado women’s golf team in 10th after the opening two rounds of the 18th annual BYU Dixie Classic on the 6,150-yard Entrada at Snow Canyon here Monday.
A trend that had been plaguing the team all season continued today as the Buffs couldn’t escape doubles and triples and carded a first day 320-321-641, their slowest start to a 54-hole tournament this season and slowest in the Utah Dixie since the 1996-97 season.
“Traveling one of our youngest teams ever has really forced us to grow up fast. We talked after today’s round about the team goals that we want to accomplish tomorrow and hopefully we will and give us the boost we need for the Big 12 Championships,” said head coach Anne Kelly.
In second place after this morning’s first round, UNLV (296-291-587) leap-frogged
Hoch’s first round 76 was a team low and bettered her first round season average by more than a stroke and had the freshman sitting in 15th after the first loop. Starting on the eighth hole, Hoch was 2-under approaching the 13 thanks to a pair of birdies , but hit a roadblock when she doubled two of next six holes to go 1-over before closing out with three bogeys in her last five holes and a +4 76. Thanks in part to four birdies, she shaved four strokes off her second round score, as she shot par for just the second time this season and first since a 1-under in the season opener in September to improve to sixth place, eyeing her third top-10 finish of the season.
“Hannah played very consistent today. She was hitting greens in regulation, hit the ball straight and solid and played a smart couple of rounds. She had an impressive 13-hour day.”
Maria Persson Gulda’s first round 80 was her lowest opening round effort in three tournaments and the result of playing from behind almost from her opening hole. She shot par her opening hole, but then doubled two of her next four and found herself 7-over on the front nine before finishing an 8-over 80 for 31st place after her first round. She fell 18 places to 54th as her career high second round 87 has her on the brink of a two-season career low finish.
“She struggled today and we can really pinpoint the problem. I think she was trying too hard and maybe getting too far ahead of herself thinking about her score and finish and not the hole at hand.”
Like Hoch, Jessie Malcom bettered her first round average with an 81 here today and was in 36th after the first round. She was within five strokes of par on the front nine, but was unable to makeup ground on the back going 4-over. Contrary to her first round, Malcolm’s second loop 90 was six over her average and dropped the sophomore to 58th with a 36-hole total 171.
Regina Rodriguez overcame a tough start to turn in her best opening round effort in three tournaments as her 83 put her in 48th after the first round. One of three Buffs to shave four strokes off her first to second round.
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Robin Worthington suffered the highest opening round score of her career as the senior’s 87 had her 15-over and in a share of 57th after her first go around, but joined Hoch and Rodriguez by improving four strokes (83) and four places on the leaderboard as the captain is in 57th with a 87-83-170 scorecard.
Tuesday’s second round will tee off at 8 a.m., and will serve as the final regular season round of the 2003-04 season for Kelly and the Buffs.
1. UNLV............................. 296-291- 587
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4. BYU............................... 300-314- 614
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COLORADO PLAYERS
6. Hannah Hoch................. 76-72- 148
t-41.
t-54. Maria Persson Gulda..... 80-87- 167
57. Robin Worthington......... 87-83- 170
t-58. Jessie Malcolm............... 81-90- 171