PHOENIX INVITATIONAL: Bears Lead Bruins by One Stroke in Battle of Ranked Teams

PEORIA, Ariz. - In a tournament featuring three teams ranked in the NCAA Division III’s top 28, the Washington University-St. Louis Bears hold a one-stroke lead over the host George Fox University Bruins after the first day of play in the Phoenix Women’s Golf Invitational Friday here at the suburban Westbrook Village Golf Course.

The second-ranked Bears shot a four-player team score of 295, 11-over-par, on the par-71, 5,980-yard course, just ahead of the seventh-ranked Bruins’ 296, which is a new George Fox team score record and the first sub-300 round in team history.  The St. Mary’s College (Ind.) Belles, who are 28th nationally, shot a 331.

Kelsey Morrison of George Fox carded a two-over-par 34-35=69 to take the individual lead over Olivia Lugar of Wash U., who shot a 38-33=71, and Andi Hibbert of Wash U., who had a 37-35=72.  Morrison’s score is a new personal best and George Fox record, the first sub-par round ever for a Bruin individual.

Other George Fox counting scores included a 37-37=74 by Megan McGrew, a personal-record 38-36=74 by Abby Mann, and a 39-40=79 by Jill Westendorf.  Also competing for the Bruins were Loreece Magsanide with a 42-41=83, and Whitney Jammerman with a 42-42=84.

“I think our hard work is starting to show,” said George Fox coach MaryJo McCloskey.  “All six players played solidly today,and we had two personal bests with Kelsey’s 69 and Abby's 74.  We are excited about tomorrow.”

The Phoenix Invitational concludes Sunday with a 1:00 p.m. tee time.

Results of the first day of the Phoenix Invitational are available on the George Fox women’s golf web site at http://athletics.georgefox.edu/sports/wgolf/2011-12/files/phoenixinvite1.xls.pdf.