May 9, 2013
The Commodores’ familiarity with the Stanford Golf Course paid off for the number three seeded squad in the West Regional as head coach Greg Allen’s team finished day one in the lead on the team leader board with a five-over par, 289, one stroke better than USC, who is the number one seed in the regional.
Vanderbilt, who has played at the Stanford Golf Course in an event in every year since the 2000-01 campaign, including earlier this season at the Stanford Intercollegiate, emerged with the lead after solid performances from all four of the team’s counting scores. Sophomores Kendall Martindale and Irina Gabasa each shot even-par 71’s on the 6,267-yard set up, while senior Lauren Stratton fired a two-over 73, and freshman Jenny Hahn headed into the clubhouse with a three-over, 74. The Commodores’ fifth player, junior Rene Sobolewski, also had a solid day, posting a six-over, 77.
“We are really comfortable on this golf course,” said Allen. “There are four or five holes where you have to be really sharp and patient, and they were. I’m really proud of Irina after shooting 71 in her last two rounds (SEC Championship final round). Kendall made a tough par on the final hole. They all looked good, comfortable, and confident.
“I told them to go out and win the day, and they did,” continued Allen. “So now, we have to go out and win tomorrow.”
The Commodores hold a one stroke advantage over Southern Cal, who shot a 290, and a two-stroke lead on third-place Purdue, who came in at 291.
Annie Park of USC holds the individual lead with a four-under par, 67, by one stroke over Emilie Burger of Georgia.
The top eight teams at the West Regional will advance to the NCAA Championships May 21-24 at the UGA Golf Course in Athens, Ga. The top two individuals not associated with the eight teams from each region will advance as individuals to the NCAA Championships.
1. Vanderbilt – 289
T7. Kendall Martindale – 71
T7. Irina Gabasa – 71
T23. Lauren Stratton – 73
T37. Jenny Hahn – 74
T69. Rene Sobolewski
