BROWN SUMMIT, N.C. - The Wake Forest women's golf team opened its defense of the Bryan National Collegiate with a round of 7-over 295 and are in fourth place after the first round.
In the cool morning conditions on the Bryan Park Players Course, the Demon Deacons made the turn in 7-over par. But thanks to nine birdies and an eagle on the back nine, Wake came home in even-par and trails opening round leader Northwestern by five shots.
Sophomore Olafia Kristinsdottir bogeyed both her first and last holes but was 3-under par in the 16 holes in between to post just the third under-par round of her career. Her round of 1-under 71 included an eagle at the par-5 12th and she is currently in a tie for second.
Senior Cheyenne Woods got off to a tough start, making the turn in 3-over 39. She remained 3-over through 16 holes but made a nice birdie at the par-3 17th and followed it with another birdie at the par-4 18th to post a 1-over 73. Her birdie on No. 18 was the only birdie of the day on the long, uphill par-4. Woods won the BNC the last time it was played on the Players Course in 2010.
Freshman Marissa Dodd flew out of the gate and grabbed a share of the lead at 3-under par through 10 holes. But she found trouble in the wind on the back nine and would make four bogeys coming home to finish with a 1-over 73. Dodd is currently in a tie with Woods in 13th place.
Junior Greta Lange made a pair of birdies in her opening round 78 while Allison Emrey also made a couple of birdies and would post an 83.
Sophomore Michelle Hartenstein, who is playing as an individual this week and also playing in her first collegiate event, made 11 pars and seven bogeys en route to posting an opening 79. Senior Hunter Ross is also playing as an individual and opened with a 9-over 81.
In the individual race, South Carolina's Katie Burnett made three birdies and just one bogey en route to posting a 2-under 70. She holds a one-shot lead over six players.
The Deacons will be in the middle wave off the front nine on Saturday morning beginning at 9:05 a.m. Wake is paired with Ohio State and Florida State. Golfstat.com will have live scoring of the final two rounds.