Mercer University
3M Augusta Invitational
Women's Golf Closes Opening Round at 3M Augusta Invitational
3/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Mercer University women's golf team wrapped up the opening round of the 3M Augusta Invitational on Friday, finishing the day in 13th at the Forest Hills Golf Club.
MERCER LINEUP RESULTS
|
NAME |
ROUND 1 |
PLACE |
|
75 (+3) |
T-24th |
|
|
76 (+4) |
T-34th |
|
|
76 (+4) |
T-34th |
|
|
78 (+6) |
T-56th |
|
|
83 (+11) |
T-85th |
|
|
TEAM TOTALS |
305 (+17) |
13th |
THE BEARS IN THE TEAM STANDINGS
Mercer's opening round 305 (17-over) placed the team in 13th in a loaded 3M Augusta Invitational field. The Bears head into the second day of action just three strokes out of the Top 10 and seven shots from the Top 5. Furman leads the field, while East Tennessee State and East Carolina round out the top three.
MERCER SPOTLIGHT
Deems shot a 3-over 75 to lead the Orange and Black on Friday. She heads into round two just three strokes out of the Top 10, after ranking 11th in the tournament with three birdies on the day.
HOLE OF THE DAY
Deems had the Bears' hole of the day with her effort on No. 3, a 370-yard, Par-4. The sophomore hit her approach shot from the left of the fairway, working around an oak tree that extended into the fairway. She worked through a tight window with a 5 Hybrid to catch the green, before nearly sinking a 50-foot putt for birdie. She would later tap in a par, one of her nine par holes on the day.
COACH DRINKARD'S TAKE
"I love this group and how resilient they are becoming. It showed today when we struggled from the third to sixth holes and then we put our foot on the gas pedal and finished strong those last four holes. Our 18th hole Mary hit her bunker shot in for eagle and Hannah Mae and Payton birdied.
"Hannah Mae played today with the most confidence that I have seen her play with to date. She is striking the ball so well and playing the golf course as it is meant to be played. We are looking forward to the challenge of 36 holes and seeing how well we can score on this golf course."
MERCER NOTABLES
- The Bears had seven birdies in the opening round, as Deems and Hanna led the way with three and two respectively.
- Mercer's round of 305 is just the second time in the last six rounds that it has not tallied a score of 300 or better.
- The Orange and Black were one of only six programs to record a total score of even-par or better on Par 5 opportunities Friday.
- Janiga eagled the Par 5, No. 3 hole. It is her first eagle of the spring and the second for the Bears in the last two tournaments, as Hanna recorded one at the Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Spring Classic.
LOOKING AHEAD
Originally scheduled for three days of 18 holes from Friday to Sunday, the event will hold 36 holes in a shotgun format on Saturday, March 12 due to expected inclement weather late in the weekend.
Players Mentioned
