Good Start at UNLV Invitational

LAS -- After a solid first round of play in windy Las Vegas, the BYU women’s golf team finds itself in eighth place at 33-over-par at the UNLV Spring Invitational.

“I’m proud of how our team played under the conditions,” said BYU head coach Sue Nyhus. “I believe at one point winds hit 40-50 miles an hour – probably the second or third-worst conditions I’ve seen on a golf course. I’m proud of how they battled through.”

The Cougars fared well in the field of 18 teams, competing with some of the nation’s top golf programs such as No. 8 Georgia, No. 22 Kent State, and No. 36 Washington at the par-72 Boulder Creek Golf Club.

Freshman Maggie Yuan played a solid opening round by making the majority of the holes at par with only six bogeys on the day. She ended the round tied for the No. 19 spot at 6-over-par 78.

Camille Gardner also enjoyed a solid first round as she finished tied for No. 32 at 8-over-par. She made one birdie and totaled nine bogeys in the round. For one hole, she was the benefactor of the strong winds.

“On one of her shots, the ball was stopped in the air by the pole flag because the wind was flapping the flag so hard,” Nyhus said.

Natalia Jimenez played consistently by making a large amount of holes at par with seven bogeys on the day. She currently sits at No. 39 at 9-over-par 81.

Sophomores Jade Bollinger and Sara Romero rounded up the top-5 roster for the Cougars as both played solid opening rounds. Bollinger scored two birdies to go along with 10 bogeys, while Romero finished with just seven bogeys.

Junior Shayla Forsey is golfing individually for BYU.

Georgia’s Marta Silva leads the overall field at 2-under-par, the only golfer in the tournament to finish below par.

The tournament will continue Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. and can be followed on golfstat.com.

“We had an amazing day and I’m proud of how we managed the weather and improved,” Nyhus said. “Although we struggled at the end today, I hope we can continue to play well Tuesday and be consistent.”

2009 UNLV Spring Invitational
BYU  +33  321
T19 Yuan      78  +6
T32 Gardner   80  +8
T39 Jimenez   81  +9
T48 Bollinger 82  +10
T88 Romero    88  +16
T77 Forsey*   85  +13
* - playing individually
The field
T1      Tulsa           +18
T1      Texas Tech      +18
3  (38) Oregon          +23
T4 (43) UNLV            +24
T4 (8)  Georgia         +24
6       Oregon State    +29
7  (22) Kent State      +31
8       BYU             +33
T9      Fresno State    +35
T9      Campbell        +35
11      Missouri        +36
T12(36) Washington      +37
T12     SMU             +37
14      UNLV - B        +38
T15     Coastal Carolina+42
T15     Nebraska        +42
17      Idaho           +46
18      Washington State+49