ST AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Paced by freshman Jessica Rathbone's opening-round 3-over-par 75, the Anderson University women's golf team is in third place following first-round action, Monday at Flagler's Fall Slam, on a 6,062 yard, par-72 Marsh Creek Country Club layout.
Defending champion Seminole State leads Limestone by just one stroke, while the Trojans are in third place. Eastern Florida State is five shots further back in fourth place, with the host Saints holding the fifth slot. Lander and UNC Pembroke are deadlocked in sixth.
"We were disappointed with our performance today," said Anderson head coach Danny Neal. "As a team, we were expecting a lower score than 317. Even in challenging condition with really firm greens and a bit of wind, we should have been better. Jessica was a bright spot, shooting a solid 75, and sitting in fifth place individually. Frankly, we feel fortunate to be in third place in this strong field with a sub-par performance. Hopefully, we will bounce back tomorrow with a better round - and hope to be able to hold off the teams that are right behind us."
Seminole State's Minomi Kudo and Minori Nagano are tied atop the individual leaderboard after firing even-par 72s on the day. Limestone's Stina Wikstrom posted a 1-over-par 73 and is alone in third place, while leading teammate Karla Lagerstrom by one shot.
Rathbone, a native of Montpelier, Va., carded three birdies in her collegiate debut and enters Tuesday's final round tied for fifth place, alongside Limestone's Ebba Hellman. Junior Victoria Hall is in a four-way tie for 14th after carding a first-round 78, with senior Anna Freeman tied for 21st following a 9-over 81. Freshman Riley Mayhew holds a share of 24th place, while junior Kerington Lamb is tied for 28th place entering Tuesday's final round. Sophomore Emma Charles is alone in 38th place.
Tuesday's second round is slated to get underway at 8 a.m.
3 Anderson 317 317
T5 Jessica Rathbone 75 75
T14 Victoria Hall 78 78
T21 Anna Freeman 81 81
T28 Kerington Lamb 83 83
38 Emma Charles 87 87
1 Team Scores
1 Seminole State-FL 297 +9
2 Limestone 298 +10
3 Anderson 317 +29
4 Eastern Florida State 322 +34
5 Flagler College 325 +37
T6 UNC Pembroke 327 +39
T6 Lander 327 +39
