The DU men’s and women’s golf teams started the Sun Belt Conference championship tournament in fine fashion yesterday in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
The No. 9 women’s team could not have gotten off to a better start in its quest for their fifth consecutive SBC title, which would be a conference record. The Pioneers shot a first-round even par 288, to jump out to a commanding 17-shot lead over second place South Alabama, Middle Tennessee and Florida International, all tied third place. DU was paced in the opening round by junior Katie Kempter and sophomore Stephanie Sherlock, each shooting a 2-under par 70 Monday. They are just two of three players to finish the first round under par.
Kempter began her round with a bogey, birdie, bogey before going birdie, eagle, birdie and birdie between holes nine and 14. Kempter then finished her round with two bogey’s to drop back to two-under par. Sherlock on the other hand started with a consecutive eagle, birdie and then double bogey on holes three, four and five and then finished with three birdies and two bogeys.
Denver also received a one-over par 73 from senior transfer Chelsea Benton, a 3-over par 75 from freshman Ellie Givens and a four-over par 76 from junior Dawn Shockley.
After an up-and-down season the men’s team shot a solid opening round score of four-under par 284, to leave them just four shots behind leader Louisiana-Lafayette.
“We have been training hard for this. We expected to play well today and get some good momentum heading into the next two rounds,” said junior Danny Wax.
The Pioneers are currently led by junior Espen Kofstad who shot a three-under par 69 and is fresh off his first career tournament win at the Arizona State Invitational. Wax shot a two-under par 70 while senior Scott Tashie recorded an even-par 72 and junior Jeff Korpvietz fired a one-over par 73.
Kofstad recorded two birdies on the front-nine and then opened the back nine with a bogey before getting two more birdies and finishing at three-under. Wax fired a birdie and two bogeys on the front nine before going on a tear on the back nine and recording three birdies.
“I just try to keep my head cool, keep calm and make some birdies for myself and for the team,” said Wax about his round.
The DU men have never won the SBC championship and finished in fourth place last season, nine shots back of champion Louisiana-Lafayette.
Both the men and women continue action today in the second round with the first group teeing off at 7:30 a.m. CDT. The tournament will conclude on Wednesday with the champion receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Last season, the women placed fourth at the NCAA West Regional and qualified for the programs’ first-ever appearance at the NCAA championships, where they finished in 20th. The men, on the other hand, played in their sixth consecutive NCAA West Regional last season and finished in a tie for 21st.
“I feel like if we keep playing the way we are and stay consistent with our scores throughout the team we can capture the title,” said Wax.
