Women's Golf: Day 1 Recap NAIA National Championship
SILVIS, Ill. – The IU East women's golf team finished the first round of the NAIA National Championship in 27th place Tuesday.
"It's always a good day when you get the chance to play on a beautiful course like we did today," Brooklynn Cromwell said.
Cromwell finished the best for the Red Wolves with a +14. She had five pars on the day. "I was striking my ball so well the last few days but I just couldn't get my driver back on track," Cromwell said. "I unfortunately was on the bogie train just about the whole day but managed to grab a few pars on the back 9. I look forward to playing and scoring better tomorrow, even from a team perspective."
Head coach Billy Mullin saw the fight from Cromwell despite not starting off well. "Brooklynn brought her round back late on the back 9 to put up a respectable score," coach Mullin said.
Annie Gillock carded an 88, good for +17 in the Par 71, 5,813-yard course. Katie Craig was one shot behind Annie with a +18 and Jalyn Bruns was one after her for a +19. The fifth golfer for the Red Wolves, Olivia Sanders, ended the round with a +21.
"TPC Deere Run is a great venue for this championship," coach Mullin said. "We had beautiful weather and the course was playing firm and fast. Our approach shots really hindered us today. We hit it in some bad spots around the greens."
IU East will have to improve its position by 10 to advance to the third round.
"I look for us to play much sharper tomorrow and improve our score," coach Mullin said.
The Red Wolves will tee off on Hole 1 starting at 8:50 a.m.