Sept. 11, 2011
The 18th-ranked Commodores finished the first round of the Cougar Classic at Yeamens Hall in Charleston, S.C., with a team score of two-over par, 290, which is good for seventh place heading into the second round Monday. Senior Marina Alex and junior Anna Leigh Keith each shot an even-par 72 to pace the Vanderbilt effort.
The Commodores counted Alex and Keith’s 72, as well as junior Lauren Stratton and freshman Kendall Martindale’s scores of 73. Freshman Irena Gabasa fired a two-over par, 74, in her first collegiate round, and sophomore Rene Sobolewski, who is playing as an individual, also shot a 74 in her round on Sunday.
Martindale, rode a roller coaster in her first collegiate round, shooting a five-over, 42, in her opening nine holes, but rallying to notch four birdies on her back nine to post her 73. Martindale, along with Stratton, tied for the team-lead for birdies on the day.
“We were very steady one through five today, and even with Rene playing as an individual,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “All six members of our team were between 72 and 74. However, unlike the teams at the top of the leaderboard, we didn’t have someone go real low, and today, it was there for the taking. We’re hoping for more steady play and for someone to go low in the next two days – we have plenty of players that have the ability.”
LSU sits atop the team leaderboard after Sunday’s play after firing an eight-under, 280, four strokes better than second-place Florida.
Individually, Erica Popson of Tennessee posted the low round of the day with a six-under par, 66. Popson holds a one-stroke lead over Laetitia Beck of Duke and Austin Ernst and Tessa Teachman of LSU.
The second round of the tournament continues on Monday from Yeamens Hall.
Note: Former Vanderbilt head football coach Bobby Johnson was in attendance for the ‘Dores round on Sunday, and will be back on Tuesday for Vanderbilt’s final round.
