SANDESTIN, Fla. – Julianna Collett fired an even-par 71 to lead the Georgia Southern women's golf team into second place in the first round of the Sun Belt Championship Sunday at Raven Golf Club.
The Eagles carded a 299 as a team and are two strokes behind leader Coastal Carolina and one ahead of Troy. Collett is tied for first with Lindsey Harrison of Troy.
Natalie Petersen shot a 74 and is tied for eighth, and
Ansley Bowman posted a 75 and is tied for 12th.
Ella Ofstedahl finished with a 79, and
Sarah Noonan posted an 82.
The story
The Eagles teed off the 10th hole today, and the counters combined to play their first nine 5-over. Collett led the team with four birdies and made three in her first nine holes as the sophomore shot 1-under. She capped the stretch with two birdies on her last four holes and finished the round with par or better on her final six holes with a birdie at 7.
Petersen birdied 12 and 16 to shoot 2-under in her first seven holes and make the turn at 1-under. The freshman finished the day by making par on five of her last six holes.
Bowman shot a 1-over 36 on the front nine with par on four straight holes after making the turn and a birdie at the 546-yard, par-5 7th.
Quotables from head coach Emily Kuhfeld
"We had a solid opening round that puts us in good position. The team played relaxed, yet focused, and just hung in there today with windy conditions."
"We are proud of everyone's effort today, especially Jules who won our daily bounce back award! Looking forward to a good day again tomorrow."
Next up
The Eagles tee off the first hole at 9:15 a.m. ET in tomorrow's second round. GS is paired with Coastal Carolina and Troy.
