March 15, 2013
The Commodore women’s golf team got off to a fast start Friday in the Insperity Lady Jaguar Intercollegiate in Augusta, Ga., and lead the tournament on the team leader board by six strokes over Purdue with a total of 290, while senior Lauren Stratton and freshman Jenny Hahn are 1-2, respectively, in the individual standings, with junior Rene Sobolewski in a tie for fifth. Stratton carded a three-under, 69, in her way around the Forest Hills Golf Club Friday, Hahn is a stroke back at two under par and is in a tie with Natalie Wille of Augusta State for second place, and Sobolewski is at one-over, 73.
Stratton, who struggled in her last tournament a few days ago at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, bounced back with a vengeance on Friday, posting six birdies, including four on her front nine, in route to her tournament-leading 69. Her freshman teammate Hahn had quite the day of her own, carding five birdies and ending the day at 70. Sobolewski had three birdies in her first-round 73. The Commodores also counted a 78 from sophomore Irina Gabasa, while sophomore Kendall Martindale ended the first round with an 81.
“It was a good start to the tournament for us and a great team effort,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “It was nice to see Stratty bounce back after a tough weekend last week and that’s just what all-Americans do. I’m really happy for Jenny and the round she played. Rene was solid all day as well. Kendall and Irina struggled a bit today but I have all the faith in them to come back strong tomorrow. There’s a lot if golf still to be played, but I like what I’m seeing from my team and the mindset they’re displaying.”
The Commodores, who came in ranked number nine in the country, had a team of total of 290, which is five strokes better than second-place Purdue and nine strokes better than third-place Texas.
Vanderbilt tees it up on Saturday morning for the second round of the Insperity Lady Jaguar Intercollegiate, with live stats available on Golfstat.com.
1. Vanderbilt – 290
1. Lauren Stratton – 69
T2. Jenny Hahn – 70
T5. Rene Sobolewski – 73
T35. Irina Gabasa – 78
T64. Kendall Martindale – 81
