University of Oregon
NCAA Championships
Ducks Endure Tough Conditions on Day One
05/19/17 | Women's Golf
PLAYING IN COLD WEATHER AND CONSTANT RAIN SHOWERS, THE DUCKS CARDED A 45-OVER 333 ON FRIDAY IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT RICH HARVEST FARMS
SUGAR GROVE, Ill. - The Oregon women's golf team played in cold and wet conditions on Friday at Rich Harvest Farms, carding a 45-over 333 in the first round of the NCAA Championships.
Teeing off in one of the earlier groups of the day, the Ducks were pounded by rain and cold weather throughout their round. Oregon will tee off from 11:06 to 11:50 a.m. PT in Saturday's second round.
"Everything about today was demanding; the cold, wind, rain and this golf course," said head coach Ria Scott. "It became really difficult to ask our student athletes to manage their golf ball when they couldn't feel their fingers and could barely grip the club. It became about survival out there and not high-level performance, although we did make some bad decisions down the stretch that cost us a lot of holes. We need to forget about this quickly, because we know we still have some great golf left."
How it Happened: Having played Rich Harvest Farms just once in Thursday's practice round, the Ducks were forced to battle the weather conditions while also getting to know a very challenging course.
Sophomore Kathleen Scavo posted the top score of the day for the Ducks with a 10-over 82. Scavo was 4 over on the front nine before making par on seven her next eight holes to go into No. 18 at 5 over, but a tough final hole brought her score up five strokes.
Senior Cathleen Santoso finished one stroke behind Scavo with an 11-over 83, and Marcella Pranovia and Petra Salko rounded out the counting scores for the Ducks with a pair of 12-over 84s. Salko was 3 over on the front nine, while Pranovia was 4 over. Kelsey Ulep closed out the Oregon lineup with a 13-over 85.
What it Means: It was not an ideal start for the Ducks in challenging conditions, but Oregon remains well in contention with 36 holes of stroke play remaining before the field is cut down to the top 15 teams after Sunday's round. Oregon will look to capitalize on more birdie chances on Saturday after converting just two on Friday, both on the front nine.
Notable: Ulep and Scavo were both even on par-5 holes … Scavo led the Ducks on both par-3 and par-4 holes at 1 over and 4 over, respectively … Ulep and Pranovia recorded the two birdies on the day for Oregon … The Ducks were paired with Clemson and Michigan State on Friday, and will be again for Saturday's round.
Players Mentioned
