DESTIN, Fla. — One SEC team and one ACC are fittingly tied for the leader after the first round Friday of the Chrysler SEC/ACC Challenge Friday at the Raven Course of the Sandestin Resort and Golf Club.
Virginia and Auburn are tied for the lead in the 16-team field made up of eight SEC and ACC teams after shooting opening rounds of eight-over par 292. The LSU Lady Tiger golf team, ranked 10th nationally in the NGCA poll, posted a good opening round of 15-over 299 and stands in seventh place, seven shots off the lead.
Duke and Florida are tied for third at 294, with Mississippi State (295) and South Carolina (297) the other teams in front of the Lady Tigers.
Diana Ramage of Auburn and Laura Crawford of Wake Forest are the individual leaders at one-under par 70 on the par-71 course. LSU sophomore Melissa Eaton was the best for the Lady Tigers on the opening day at two-over 73, good enough to join a large group tied for 10th place.
LSU’s other counting scores on the day were a three-over 74 from the two Lady Tiger freshman, Rebecca Kuhn and Kimberly Meck. Brooke Shelton and Vicky Meyer added 78s to the team total.
“We are very much in the thick of things after one round,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “Our younger players came through with good scores to help Brooke and Vicky and give us a chance to improve our position (Saturday).”
The 54-hole event continues with the second 18-holes on Saturday.
ACC/SEC Challenge
Destin, Fla.
Team Results (Par 288)
1. Virginia, Auburn 292 +8; 3. Duke Florida 294 +10; 5. Mississippi State 295 +11; 6. South Carolina 297 +13; 7. LSU 299 +15; 8. Wake Forest 300 +16; 9. Florida State 301 +17; 10. Miami 302 +18; 11. North Carolina 303 +19; 12. North Carolina State 308 +24; 13. Mississippi 316 +32; 14. Kentucky 321 +37; 15. Alabama 323 +39; 16. Maryland 325 +41.
Individual Top 5.
1. Diana Ramage, Auburn; Laura Crawford, Wake Forest, 70 -1; 3. Tiffany Chudy, Florida; Beth Irwin, Miss. St; 71 E; 5. Erica Battle, South Carolina; Anna Grzeblen, Duke; Ali Kicklighter, Kentucky; Carolina Larsson, Florida St.; Rachel Smith, Virginia, 72 +1.
LSU Scores
T10. Melissa Eaton 34-39 — 73 +2
T18. Rebecca Kuhn 36-38 — 74 +3
T18. Kimberly Meck 36-38 — 74 +3
T47. Brooke Shelton 37-41 — 78 +7
T47. Vicky Meyer 35-43 — 78 +7