Oct. 14, 2011
Senior Marina Alex showed why she loves the Stanford Golf Course, shooting a first-round 65 and emerging with the individual lead on Friday by one stroke over the Washington duo of SooBin Kim and Sadena Parks, who each fired a 66. As a team, the Commodores are in third place with a three-under par, 281, four strokes off of the team lead held by UCLA and Washington.
Alex, who held the individual lead heading into the final round in last year’s Stanford Invitational but finished ninth, had a stellar opening 18 holes on Friday. The senior from Wayne, N.J., posted an eagle, five birdies, and a bogey in her round, with three of the birdies and the eagle coming her opening nine holes.
“I love this golf course. You have no idea,” said Alex. “I don’t know what it is about it. I guess it sets up well for my eyes. But, I felt good about everything today. My putter was working and consistent, and the ball striking was there. I got a little aggressive on my only bogey and I should have been more conservative, but everything was going well.
“But, I have to completely start over tomorrow,” continued Alex. “I can’t think about what happened today. It’s hard, but it’s something that I have to do.”
The Commodores, who held the lead at one point in the round on Friday, also counted an even-par 71 from junior Anna Leigh Keith, a one-over par 72 from junior Lauren Stratton, and a two-over 73 from freshman Kendall Martindale. Freshman Irina Gabasa carded a six-over par 77.
The second round of the Stanford Invitational continues at 8:30 PT on Saturday.
3. Vanderbilt – 281
1. Marina Alex – 65
T25. Anna Leigh Keith – 71
T34. Lauren Stratton – 72
T43. Kendall Martindale – 73
T76. Irina Gabasa – 77
