May 10, 2006

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State's Women's Golf team fired an opening round 308 and sits 11 shots behind the leader, Rollins College, at the NCAA National Championship held at the Meadows Golf Course on GVSU's Allendale campus. Rollins College holds a 10 shot lead over second place Ferris State with a 297, while the Bulldogs fired a 307. Senior Kate McDonald shot an even par 72 and is tied for the individual lead with Florida Southern's Lindsey Bergeon.

McDonald opened her round with a birdie on the par five first and then rattled off six consecutive pars before finishing bogey, par for a one-under par after nine holes. Kate played the back nine at nearly even par recording eight pars and a bogey on #15.

Laura Leatherman finished the day in a tie for 21st with a 78, while the duo of Tracey Puckering and Kristi Vienneau are tied for 28th with a pair of 79's. Enid Gage rounded out the scoring with an 83. The Lakers trail Rollins College by 11 strokes, who shot a nine-over-par 297. Rollins has captured three consecutive NCAA National Championships. Ferris State sits in second place at +19, followed by the Lakers at +20, Lynn University at +23, Western Washington and Western New Mexico at +25. Nebraska-Omaha (+36) and Minnesota State (+40) round out the leaderboard after day one.