March 16, 2007
Commodore standout sophomore Jacqui Concolino notched four birdies in the first round of the LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic Friday to help Vanderbilt take a four-stroke lead at the three-day tournament.
The five Vanderbilt golfers combined for 294 strokes on the day to give the team a lead over the other 20 teams in the tournament, including 14 squads ranked in the Top 50. Concolino, the lone holder of second place, is only one stroke behind the tournament leader Duke’s Amanda Blumenherst, who shot a 68.
The day was marked by strong wind gusts from the north and a course that has yet to dry completely after heavy rains earlier in the week.
“Conditions were really tough, and the wind was very gusty,” Coach Martha Richards said. “Jacqui’s strength really helped her today.”
Conditions are expected to improve throughout the weekend, with sunny skies forecasted for Saturday and Sunday and highs in the upper 60s. The wind gusts, however, are expected to continue.
Brooke Goodwin, the lone freshman on the Commodore team, turned in a strong 2-over-par performance tying her for 13th with seven other women. Senior Chris Brady carded a 3-over par (T21st), senior Kristen Svicarovich ended the day with a 4 over par for (T28th), and junior Liebelei Lawrence scored 8 over par (T56th).
“Brooke played very well today,” Richards said. “It takes all five of us to win a tournament, and Brooke stepped up big. She’s patient and poised.”
The Commodores ended the day with a four-stroke, six-over-par lead. Duke (No. 1), Tennessee (No. 13), Auburn (No. 6), and North Carolina (No. 22) are each within five strokes.
“This group is capable of winning this golf tournament, but we are not celebrating yet,” said Richards. “We’re just going to go out there tomorrow and try to win day two.”
Concolino shot a 6-under-par to take the individual championship last year, while Brady won in 2005. The two golfers hold the two best overall scores for the tournament since it moved to the University Club Golf Course in 2000: Concolino carded a 210 in 2006, and Brady a 211 in 2005. The Commodores finished the tournament third overall last year.
Following the LSU/Cleveland Classic, the Commodores travel to Tempe, Ariz., for the Ping/ASU Invitational March 30-April 1.
