ANDERSON, S.C. - Paced by junior Braiden Furtick's career-best 3-over-par 75, the Anderson women's golf team is in fifth place following Monday's opening-round action at the AU Invitational, hosted at the Cobb's Glen par-72, 5,940-yard layout.
"We are really excited for Braiden,' said Anderson head coach Danny Neal. "Natalie [Feder] also played well. With a field like this, it is good for us to have two [individuals] in the top seven. Hopefully we can play even better tomorrow and pass some teams.
Erskine, the defending champion, is tied with Milligan following the first round, as both teams posted a 29-over-par 317 team score. Fellow South Atlantic Conference-members Lincoln Memorial (319) and Queens (324) occupy the third and fourth spots, respectively. The Trojans are three shots further back with a team total 327, with Mars Hill (345) in sixth. Spartanburg Methodist (359) and Brevard (424), round out the eight-team field.
Erskine senior Rachel Moore leads the chase for individual medalist honors after carding a first-round, 2-over-par 74. Furtick is one shot further back after firing her 3-over-par 75. Moore led the field with four birdies on the afternoon, while Furtick countered with 14 pars to keep pace. Queens' Kylie Nizolek (76) and Milligan's Mollie Stone (76) are tied for third and lead a group of 10 golfers who are within five strokes of the lead.
AU senior Natalie Feder is one of those golfers within striking distance, as she shares seventh place after carding a 7-over-par 79 on Monday. She capitalized on a birdie and 11 pars on the day. Fellow senior Sarah Timms sits alone in 22nd place after notching a 14-over-par 86, with juniors Garyt Hamilton and Arista Setro each posting 15-over-par 87s to share 23rd entering Tuesday's second round.
Tuesday's final round will feature a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
