Nov. 3, 2017
Battle at the Beach 1st Rd Scores
CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico — For the second consecutive tournament, the Vanderbilt women’s golf team face an uphill fight after struggling to produce low first-round scores in the Battle at the Beach Friday.
The Commodores, competing for the first time on the Baja California peninsula, finished the opening day of competition in 12th place with a team score of 299, well off the leading pace set by Oklahoma.
The Club Campestre San Jose venue, designed through arid foothills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, played tough for the Commodore squad, which managed a total of just ten birdies.
Head coach Greg Allen wasn’t happy with the overall performance, which came off several strong practices since the team’s last event.
“We weren’t very sharp or consistent today, especially around the greens,” Allen said. “That’s disappointing because we’ve had some good practices recently.
“I think our youth showed up today in that we let some doubt creep in after some early missed putts and bogeys. We just never got the momentum turned in our direction today, but I love this team and can’t wait to see how we respond tomorrow,” Allen added.
Senior Alexandra Farnsworth carded the best Commodore round, managing a 1-over par 72, good for 20th in the individual competition. Farnsworth’s round was highlighted by a team-high four birdies, including three on the back nine.
Freshmen Morgan Baxendale and Louise Yu posted scores of 75 and 76, respectively, but neither could manage a single birdie on the difficult course.
Sophomore Abbey Carlson and junior Courtney Zeng, arguably the team’s most consistent performers this fall, recorded scores of 76 and 77, respectively.
Freshman Virginia Green, participating as an individual, notched a 76.
Second round action will get under way Saturday at 10:30 a.m. CT with a shotgun start.
Battle at the Beach First Round Team Standings
1. Oklahoma 281. 2. UCLA 282. 3. Houston 283. 4. Texas 286. 5. Auburn 288. T-6. Baylor 290. T-6. Wake Forest 290.T-6. Virginia 290. 9. North Carolina 294. T-10. Mississippi State 296. T-10. TCU 296. 12. Vanderbilt 299. 13. Ohio State 301. 14. Tulane 302.
Vanderbilt Individual Scores
T-20. Alexandra Farnsworth — 72
T-42. Morgan Baxendale — 75
T-51. Louise Yu — 76
T-51. Abbey Carlson — 76
T-61. Courtney Zeng — 77
Additional Vanderbilt Participants
T-51. Virginia Green — 76
