Feb. 22, 2010

Wildcat Invitational First Round Results

TUCSON, Ariz. - Playing in heavy rains throughout the day, the UNLV women's golf team opened up the spring season at the Wildcat Invitational on a soggy Arizona National Golf Club on Monday.

The Rebels are in 15th place following the first round of play on the par-71, 6,146-yard course, as they shot a 314 (+30) on a day that teams battled adverse conditions. The poor conditions actually shortened play with just 18 of the 36 holes that were scheduled to be played being finished.

Arizona State has the first round lead with a team score of six-over 290, three strokes better than Stanford and four ahead of in-state rival and host Arizona. Taylore Karle of Pepperdine is one of three players below par and she has the first-round lead with a three-under 68, a shot better than Alison Whitaker of Duke.

UNLV is being paced by junior Therese Koelbaek, who carded a five-over 76 and is tied for 33rd heading into tomorrow's final round, while senior Natasha Krishna is in a group that is tied for 47th with a score of 78 (+7). Kristen Schelling and Mandi Incorvaia are in a group that is tied for 68th with scores of 80 (+9), and Alejandra Guacaneme is tied for 90th with first-round total of 89 (+18). Rebel sophomore Bethany Glassford is playing as an individual and she shot a nine-over 80 as well.

"I really thought Therese and Natasha had pretty solid rounds considering the weather conditions," UNLV head coach Missy Ringler said.

UNLV is part of a field that includes 11 teams that are currently ranked in Golfweek's latest top-25 poll. Top-ranked Arizona State headlines the field, which also features No. 3 Auburn, No. 5 USC, No. 6 Tennessee, No. 8 Duke and No. 9 Pepperdine.

The tournament will conclude on Tuesday with a 7:00 a.m. shotgun start, with the teams playing only 36 of the 54 holes that were originally slated to be played.

Fans can follow the tournament live by going to www.UNLVRebels.com and clicking on the live scoring link.