OCU seven shots back after first round of NAIA Championship

POOLER, Ga. – Oklahoma City University began play in the NAIA women’s golf championships by shooting a fourth-place 307 on Tuesday at the Savannah Quarters Country Club.

Emma Allen led the two-time defending national champion Stars with a 72, which was tied for the clubhouse lead with Charlene Dubois of Bellevue (Neb.). Fourth-ranked OCU will have a 1:50 p.m. EDT tee time Tuesday in the second round.

No. 12-rated Bellevue took the early lead in the 72-hole tournament by carding 300, while third-ranked British Columbia posted a 301. Fifth-ranked William Woods (Mo.) stood in third place at a 305 on the par-72, 6,004-yard course.

Lightning halted play with 10 afternoon pairings remaining. Wednesday’s initial tee time will be 7:15 a.m. EDT. Heather Shake of Houston-Victoria had the individual lead at 1-under-par through 12 holes.

Oklahoma City’s Kailey Campbell and Katie-Lee Wilson each produced a 77, and Anna Mikish contributed an 81. Caroline Goodin turned in an 87 for the Stars. 

Other Sooner Athletic Conference members competing are 10th-ranked Wayland Baptist (tied for ninth at 311) and ninth-ranked Texas Wesleyan (tied for 13th with a 318).  Marina Gallegos led Wayland Baptist with a 76, while Alexis Belton and Taylor Icenberger each shot 78 for Texas Wesleyan.

Allen, a freshman from Tulsa, sank three birdies on the day. Allen knocked in birdies on the par-5, 486-yard fifth hole, par-4, 291-yard eighth hole and the par-4, 258-yard 11th hole.

Campbell, a sophomore from Oktaha,  made birdie on the par-3, 129-yard 15th hole. Wilson, a sophomore from Owasso, Okla., sank a birdie on the par-3, 152-yard fourth hole.

Mikish, a sophomore from Choctaw, drained birdies on the par-4, 354-yard No. 2, par-3, 129-yard 15th hole and the par-4, 349-yard 18th hole. Goodin, a sophomore from Oklahoma City, dropped in a birdie on the par-5, 494-yard 13th hole. 

When OCU teed off, the temperature read 72 degrees with 5 mph wind. The temperature climbed to 92 degrees with a 9 mph wind and gusts up to 23 mph.