May 19, 2009
Vanderbilt freshman Marina Alex shot a seven-over par, 79, on the first day of play at the NCAA Championships at the Caves Valley Golf Course in Maryland Tuesday.
Alex, playing as an individual at the event, had one birdie, six bogeys, and a double-bogey in the first round. The freshman from Wayne, N.J., started on number 10 at 8 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday morning.
“She was probably a little nervous starting, but had a good start.,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “She gave herself two good looks at birdie early on, and had a lot of those today, but couldn’t get the putts to drop. She had three three-putt greens today on some very tough, tricky greens.
“She shanked a shot on her ninth hole, and she never got comfortable out there after that,” continued Allen. “She was a little frustrated. She definitely played a lot better than her score.
“She’s in a good frame of mind, and with the way this golf course is playing, one good round could get her back in it.”
Alex tees off in the afternoon on Wednesday at 1:40 p.m.
