Women's Golf Leads the Field After Day One of MAC Championship
4/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Gavier, Marshall lead the way with matching 75s to give the Golden Flashes a seven-stroke lead
NASHPORT, Ohio – The Kent State women's golf team battled through wet and chilly weather conditions Friday in the first round of the 2011 Mid-American Conference Women's Golf Championship at Longaberger Golf Club.
The Golden Flashes got steady rounds from senior Martina Gavier (Cordoba, Argentina) and junior Shamira Marshall (Macedonia, Ohio). The pair each carded three-over 75s, which were tied for second-best through the first day.
Gavier started the day with a pair of bogeys, but regrouped on No. 3 with a second shot that left her a foot from the hole. After the birdie, Gavier had another bogey but was back to one-over with a birdie on No. 13. Gavier had to take a two-over seven on the challenging No. 16 when her chip onto the green fell off to the lower level.
"I played pretty solid and hit some good shots," said Gavier. "I made some putts to save pars, which was huge. As a team, I think we did pretty good considering the conditions."
Marshall was bogey-free on the wind-whipped back nine, while her front nine score was bolstered with a birdie on the par-4 No. 3. In fact, Marshall had just one bogey over her final 13 holes.
Senior Sarah Bradley (Cambridge, New Zealand) posted a five-over 77 to finish the first round tied for sixth with four other players. Bradley benefitted from a birdie on the par-5 No. 10.
Junior Mandi Morrow (Kent, Ohio) was on pace for a top 5 finish, but three bogeys at the end of her round dropped her to a tie for 10th with a six-over 78. Junior Mercedes Germino (Necochea, Argentina) rounded out the team's effort with a nine-over 81.
Eastern Michigan's Sarah Johnson was the lone player to match par on the day, as she shot an even-par 72 to own a three-stroke lead.
Kent State is back in action for Saturday's second round in the final pairings, beginning at 9:20 a.m. off the first tee.
Kent State scores
T2 Martina Gavier (1) 75 +3
T2 Shamira Marshall (5) 75 +3
T6 Sarah Bradley (4) 77 +5
T10 Mandi Morrow (3) 78 +6
T20 Mercedes Germino (2) 81 +9
Team standings
1. Kent State 305 +17
2. Ball State 312 +24
T3. Western Michigan 316 +28
T3. Eastern Michigan 316 +28
5. Akron 319 +31
6. Toledo 321 +33
7. Ohio 325 +37
8. Northern Illinois 337 +49
9. Bowling Green 341 +53
