Feb. 5, 2018
UCF Challenge 2nd Round Results
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Commodore women’s golf squad responded exactly how their head coach wanted Monday, climbing nine spots up the UCF Challenge leaderboard to put themselves in a threatening position for the closing 18 holes Tuesday.
The Commodores accumulated 15 birdies Monday, finishing the day with a three-under team total of 285. The round, which matched the low single-team score from the opening 36 holes, enabled Vanderbilt to rise into a tie for fourth place in the team competition.
The impressive round jumped the Commodores past nine opponents in the team competition. They will open the closing round Tuesday nine strokes behind tournament-leading.
Greg Allen’s squad was the most consistent team over the tough 6,349-yard Eagle Creek course Monday, registering the three-under team total without a benefit of a superb low individual round.
The Commodores’ low score Monday was a 70 fashioned by first-year contributor Virginia Green.
“This team showed a lot of fight and resiliency today. We got off to good start, made some putts and finished the round impressively making some birdies,” Allen said. “I’m excited about the opportunity this team has given itself tomorrow.”
Remarkably, the Commodores experienced a 19-stroke team improvement from Sunday’s opening round to Monday’s result. Much of the difference came on Eagle Creek’s four par-5s where Vanderbilt tallied a 2-under total in the second round after struggling to a 6-over total Sunday.
Green paced the Commodores for the second straight day. The freshman notched three birdies against a lone bogey for 70, and enters the final round in medalist contention. Her 1-under total of 143 (73-70) is tied for fourth, four strokes behind co-leaders Dewi Weber of Miami and Keili Jones of UCF.
Two Orlando residents on the Commodore roster, sophomore Abbey Carlson and freshman Morgan Baxendale, recorded rounds of 1-under 71 to provide solid support for Green.
The improved play of junior Courtney Zeng was critical to the Vanderbilt’s success Monday. The third Commodore from Orlando, Zeng responded from her worst round of the year on Sunday to post a 1-over 73.
“V (Green), Mo (Baxendale) and Abbey hit solid shots all day and I loved how Courtney bounced back from the opening round. I know this round, coming here and after Sunday, means a lot to her,” Allen said.
Senior Alexandra Farnsworth, the Commodores’ fifth contributor, also opened with birdies on two of her first six holes, but could not maintain the momentum. She finished with a 6-over 78.
A sixth Commodore playing in the medalist competition, freshman Louise Yu, is having an impressive tournament. She fashioned a 1-over 73 Monday and is tied for 17th in the individual race with a two-day total of 147 (74-73).
The Commodores will be paired with East Carolina and UCF in the final round Tuesday. Play is expected to start at 7:45 a.m. CT with a shotgun format.
UCF Challenge Team Scores (2nd Round)
1. Miami (Fla.) 295-285=580
2. Wisconsin 297-287=584
3. Iowa State 293-294=587
T-4. Vanderbilt 304-285=589
T-4. UCF 299-290=589
T-4. East Carolina 293-296=589
7. Auburn 299-293=592
T-8. Memphis 300-294=594
T-8. SMU 301-293=594
10. Mississippi State 302-295=597
11. Penn State 303 295=598
12. Texas Tech 300 299=599
13. Old Dominion 305-297=602
T-14. Tulane 297-308=605
15. College of Charleston 313-296=609
16. UNC Wilmington 311-299=610
Vanderbilt Individual Scores
T-4. Virginia Green 73-70=143
T-10. Abbey Carlson 75-71=146
T-22. Morgan Baxendale 77-71=148
T-75. Courtney Zeng 83-73=156
T-80. Alexandra Farnsworth 79-78=157
Additional Vanderbilt individuals
T-17. Louise Yu 74-73=147
