Feb. 18, 2013
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The Vanderbilt women’s golf team’s spring season started off with a bang on Monday at the Central District Invitational in Parrish, Fla., with the Commodores emerging on top of the team and individual leader board after 36 holes of play. As a team, Vanderbilt shot a 12-over par, 588, and leads second-place Michigan State by two strokes, and individually, senior Lauren Stratton is tied for the lead with a one-under par, 143, heading into the final round at the River Wilderness Golf Club.
With four Vanderbilt golfers in the top 18, the Commodores were near the top of the leader board for most of the day. Stratton had a slow start in the morning 18 with a 75, but responded with the tournament’s only round in the 60’s with a second-round 68 to boost her into a tie for the individual lead with Caroline Powers of Michigan State and Natalie Wille of Augusta State. Stratton posted eight birdies in her second time around the par-72, 6,218-yard River Wilderness Golf Club.
The Commodores’ second round total of 289 was a tournament low and featured 17 Vanderbilt birdies.
Freshman Jenny Hahn is in a tie for fifth with a one-over par, 145 (73-72), junior Rene Sobolewski is in a tie for 15th with a six over, 150 (76-74), and sophomore Kendall Martindale is in a tie for 18th with a seven-over par, 151 (75-76). Sophomore Irina Gabasa rallied in the second round with a counting 75 after a first-round 80 and is in a tie for 38th. Freshman Morgan Ransom is playing as an individual and fired a 162 on Monday (85-77).
“We started off cold, and we didn’t finish the way we wanted in the first round,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “I’m proud of how they hung in there this afternoon. They looked good. We worked really hard this offseason in the weight room with Kristina (Jeffries), so they were in good shape and were ready to finish.
“It’s exciting to go to bed with a lead tonight,” continued Allen. “The focus was getting out there and competing and putting ourselves in position for a win. We just have to go finish it now.”
The Commodores hold a two-stroke lead over second-place Michigan State and a seven-stroke lead on third-place SMU.
The final 18 holes will be played on Tuesday morning.
1. Vanderbilt – 299-289=588
T1. Lauren Stratton – 75-68=143
T5. Jenny Hahn – 73-72=145
T15. Rene Sobolewski – 76-74=150
T18. Kendall Martindale – 75-76=151
T38. Irina Gabasa – 80-75=155
57. Morgan Ransom – 85-77=162
