LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – Competing in their first tournament of the spring season, the Broncos got off to a good start after 36 holes of the Grand Canyon Invitational. Freshman Annie Freman holds a one-shot lead and the Santa Clara women's golf team is in second place, eight strokes behind Northern Arizona after the first day of competition, played today on the Wigwam Country Club Gold Course.
After shooting a 308 over the first 18 holes, the Broncos whittled five strokes off their second round score and came in with a 303 to climb into second place with their 611 total. Host Grand Canyon sits in third place one shot behind the Broncos at 612.
"I'm so proud of the girls," said head coach Krystal Kelly. "They played very well and are in great position going into the final round."
Freman shot a first round 1-over 73 scoring par on 17 holes and followed with a 2-over 74 on the second 18 to finish the day at +3 (147), one shot better than NAU's Brittany McKee. Freman has a shot at her third straight tournament title after claiming victories at the SCU Colby Invitational and the Firestone Grill Cal Poly Invitational to close out the fall season.
Sophomore Monique Riley carded rounds of 76 and 78 to tie for 14th place with her 154 (+10), a single shot better than teammates Taylor Camany and Kaci McCartan, who both scored a 155 and tied for 18th place. Junior Casey Briggs had rounds of 82 and 84 to tie for 49th with her 166.
"We've been able to put together strong final rounds and I don't think this tournament will be any different," said Kelly. "I'm confident we'll finish strong tomorrow."
Tuesday's final round will tee off with a shotgun start at 8:15 a.m. The Broncos will be grouped with members of the Northern Arizona, Grand Canyon 'A' and McNeese State teams.
Grand Canyon Invitational 2nd Round Team Top 10
1. Northern Arizona 298-305 = 603 (+27)
2. Santa Clara 308-303 = 611 (+35)
3. Grand Canyon 314-298 = 612 (+36)
T4. Grand Canyon (B) 306-309 = 615 (+39)
T4. McNeese State 317-298 = 615 (+39)
T6. Southern Utah 322-314 = 636 (+60)
T6. Montana State 319-317 = 636 (+60)
8. North Dakota State 319-325 = 644 (+68)
9. Northern Kentucky 328-323 = 651 (+75)
10. Weber State 329-324 = 653 (+77)
Santa Clara 2nd Round Individual Results
1. Annie Freman 73-74 = 147 (+3)
T14. Monique Riley 76-78 = 154 (+10)
T18. Taylor Camany 80-75 = 155 (+11)
T18. Kaci McCartan 79-76 = 155 (+11)
T49. Casey Briggs 82-84 = 166 (+22)
