Lady Paladins Shoot Opening 307

May 18, 2005

SUNRIVER, Ore. -

Furman's Lady Paladin golf team fired a 307 Tuesday at the Sunriver Resort's Meadows Course, in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships.

Freshman Sarah Sturm (Spartanburg, S.C.) and sophomore Monique Gesualdi (St. Augustine, Fla.) paced the Lady Paladins with a pair of 76s, while Jenny Suh (Fairfax, Va.) added a 77 and Theresa Paik (Silver Spring, Md.) contributed a 78.  Junior Connor Atkinson (Charleston, S.C.) was three over entering her 16^th hole, but put up a quadruple bogey on the par four No. 7 to finish at 79.

Furman's 23 over tally as a team ranks 20^th in the field of 24.

"We are certainly not happy with this start," said coach Mic Potter, "but we aren't going to panic either.  We have three rounds of golf left to play and we are a much better team than we scored today."

The Lady Paladins will remain paired with California and Missouri on Wednesday, but will have the benefit of a morning tee time.  Furman begins teeing off the first hole at 9 a.m., with the final player set for a 9:40 a.m. start.

Highlights of tomorrow's round will be broadcast on Thursday, May 19, from 5-7 p.m. ET on the Golf Channel.  The Golf Channel will also broadcast a two hour show from 4-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Furman Results

Sarah Sturm      76

Monique Gesualdi          76

Jenny Suh         77

Theresa Paik     78

Connor Atkinson            79