Tide Extends Lead at Wildcat Fall Invitational
9/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
LEXINGTON, Ky. ?? The University of Alabama women's golf team took advantage of its strong start in yesterday's first round of the Wildcat Fall Invitational in Lexington, Ky., and added to its lead in round two, where it fired a 290 to increase its lead over second-place Florida to five strokes after 36 holes of play at the University Club of Kentucky.
Alabama, who shot a 292 and entered the day with a three-stroke lead over the Gators, continued to pull away on Sunday afternoon, highlighted by the play of three newcomers to the UA program.
"We had a pretty good day," said Alabama head coach Mic Potter. "We might have left a few shots out there, but I think we managed ourselves pretty well. Having four players in the top 10 and a couple in contention for the top spot helps us a lot."
Overall, four Tide players are among the top 10 in the individual standings, with three in the top five, including true freshman Courtney Harter, who is competing at the event as an individual and whose score does not count toward the team's final tally.
Harter tied the second-best 18-hole score in school history in round one with her 5-under 67 yesterday. In the second round, Harter stayed under par, firing a 1-under 71 on the day. She is in second place in the individual race, standing one stroke behind Florida's Whitney Myers.
Another true freshman for the Tide, Camilla Lennarth, is right behind her. Lennarth shot a 4-under 67 in round two and has a 139 after 36 holes, good enough for third place, one shot behind her teammate Lennarth and two off the pace for medalist honors.
"Both our freshmen have played really well this weekend," Potter said. "Courtney has been really solid and Camilla went 4-under today, so I'm very pleased with how they have come along so far."
Transfer Kathleen Ekey was the third Tide player to go under par for the day, firing a 1-under 71 to climb into the top five in the individual race. Ekey shot a 73 on day one and owns a 144 after two rounds. She is in fourth place overall.
Sarah Sturm, the only senior at the event for Alabama, continued her solid play. Sturm carded an even-par 72 on the first day and added a 3-over 75 in round two, good enough for a tie for eighth place.
Helena Blomberg posted her second round of 76 and is in a tie for 24th place, while junior Laura Goodwin tallied an 80 in round two, knocking three strokes off of her score from the first round.
The Tide seeks its first title since 2005 and its second overall under Potter on Monday in the third and final round of the Wildcat Fall Invitational. Alabama had one second-place finish last season. Live stats can be found at www.golfstat.com.
Players Mentioned
