April 27, 2012
FRENCH LICK, Ind. — The University of Iowa women’s golf team sits in 11th place after Friday’s first round of the Big Ten Championships. The Hawkeyes shot a 319 (+31) on the 6,156-yard, par 72 Donald Ross Course at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Ind.
“We played a little bit nervous today,” said head coach Megan Menzel. “We came out and it was pretty cold, but we did settle down. I felt like we finished really well and had a nice stretch towards the end.”
Senior Chelsea Harris paced the Hawkeyes with a six-over 78. Harris finished the opening round tied for 25th.
“I hit the ball really well today,” said Harris. “I left a lot of shots out there and couldn’t really get my putting going. I think I will play a lot better tomorrow.”
Freshman Lauren English ended the day one stroke behind Harris with a 79 (+7). English enters the second round tied for 35th. Fellow freshman Shelby Phillips and junior Gigi DiGrazia are tied for 45th after firing 81’s (+9). Junior Kristi Cardwell carded an 82 (+10) during the first round to tie for 50th.
Sophomore Karly Grouwinkel completed the Iowa scorecard with a 104 (+32).
Ohio State and Michigan are tied for the team lead at 298 (+10). Individually, Michigan State’s Caroline Powers and Nora Lucas of Illinois both shot even-par 72’s to share the lead.
The 12-team field returns to the Donald Ross Course tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. (CT) for the second round. Fans can follow the action live on www.golfstat.com.
Team Results
T1. Ohio State – 298 (+10)
T1. Michigan State – 298 (+10)
3. Illinois – 304 (+16)
11. Iowa – 319 (+31)
Individual Results
T1. Caroline Powers (Michigan State) – 72 (E)
T1. Nora Lucas (Illinois) – 72 (E)
T3. Lindsey Solberg (Michigan State) – 73 (+1)
T3. Claudia Lim (Ohio State) – 73 (+1)
T3. Jackie Shepherd (Minnesota) – 73 (+1)
T25. Chelsea Harris (Iowa) – 78 (+6)
T35. Lauren English (Iowa) – 79 (+7)
T45. Shelby Phillips (Iowa) – 81 (+9)
T45. Gigi DiGrazia (Iowa) – 81 (+9)
T50. Kristi Cardwell (Iowa) – 82 (+10)
72. Karly Grouwinkel (Iowa) – 104 (+32)