The 49er women’s golf team wrapped up Day 1 at the Big West Conference Championship, taking a two-round score of 45-over 621 into the clubhouse Monday.
The highest individual score in each round is thrown out of the final team tally for that round.
LBSU holds a two-shot lead over UC Davis heading into this morning’s final round.
Lee Lopez shot herself into a three-way tie atop the leaderboard to pace the ‘Niners at the San Luis Obispo Country Club.
“We let the field back in this afternoon but we’re well poised to strike back tomorrow! It was a long, hot day on a course that challenges even the best putters,” head coach Sue Ewart said. “It will more than likely boil down to who putts best, both individually and team-wise. I feel confident that Lee Lopez and the team will come out blazing tomorrow and we could potentially enjoy our first conference championship title, coupled with the individual crown!”
Lopez fired a 6-over 150 through two rounds of action. The freshman drained a birdie at No. 6 before recording a double-bogey at No. 7. She saved par on the last two holes of the front nine to finish off the day.
UC Irvine’s Patty Chawalitmetha and UC Davis’ Alice Kim share the lead with Lopez after two rounds.
Senior All-American Kay Hoey took a two-round score of 11-over 155 into the clubhouse to put herself in a two-way tie for sixth heading into the final round. Hoey had back-to-back bogeys at No. 5 and No. 6 before recovering to save par on the last three front nine holes.
Reina Rogers is tied for 11th on the leaderboard with a two-round score of 13-over 157.
Brenda Chhuor is tied for 18th at 18-over 162 and Lindsey McAtee posted a 20-over 164 to finish Day 1 tied for 21st.
Men’s golf
Junior Michael Drake shot a 6-under 66 to help the Long Beach State men’s golf team move up the leaderboard of the Big West Conference Championships on Monday.
The 49ers, who entered the second round tied for seventh place, finished fifth after two rounds at the San Luis Obispo Country Club. As a team, LBSU carded a second-round best 2-under 286 to put itself at 15-over 591 for the tournament.
UC Davis leads the eight-team field at 1-over 577 and second-place UC Irvine trails by two shots.
Drake, who started the round tied for 20th on the individual leaderboard, moved 15 spots up the standings with the help of seven birdies to take over fifth place. He finished at 2-under 142 through 36 holes and trailed UCR’s Andrew Patipaksiril by four shots.
Junior Steve Gibson made the biggest leap, jumping 19 spots to tie for 10th. He carded a 4-under 68 to end the day at 1-over 145.
LBSU freshman Kevin Lim shot even-par in the second round to turn in a 4-over 148 score. Austin Love (33rd, 12-over 156) and Kevin Roy (t-34th, 13-over 157) rounded out the 49ers’ two-round scores.
“While the morning was rough, I was proud of the team’s comeback in 95-degree heat,” head coach Bill Poutre said. “Drake and Gibson had great rounds in the afternoon and Kevin Lim was solid as usual.”
Final round action for both teams is scheduled for a 7:10 a.m. start Tuesday.