June 18, 2003

PALM COAST, Fla. - Santa Clara University women's golfer Meggie Fagundes finished round one of the U.S. Amateur Public Links Women's Championship on Tuesday with an 85 at the 6,068 yard, par-72 Ocean Hammock Golf Club in Palm Coast, Fla.

The freshman from Atwater, Calif., who just finished her rookie season at Santa Clara, fired a 42 on the front nine and a 43 on the back nine. She is only seven strokes out of the top-64 as 16 players are tied for the final spots after shoooting rounds of 6-over par, 78 on Tuesday.

Fagundes is scheduled to tee off at 8:40 a.m. (ET) on Wednesday from hole number one at the Ocean Hammock Golf Club, conlcuding her stroke play portion of the championship.

Following Wednesday's second round of stroke play, the low 64 players will advance into match play. Match play continues until the championship is decided with a 36-hole final on Sunday.

The U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links is one of 13 national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association, of which 10 are strictly for amateurs.