April 21, 2008

BEAUMONT, Texas - Senior Daniele Dunlop and junior Theunette Van der Walt each carded a six-over par 77 after the first round of the Southland Conference Women's Golf Championship to finish tied for 13th place just six shots off the current leader.

Dunlop, who is playing in her final tournament as a collegiate player finished the opening round with a 38 on the front nine and followed it up with a 39 on the back nine, while Van der Walt turned in a 39 on the front side and a 38 on the back.

Other Nicholls golfers included senior Natalie Robinson and freshman Elyse Kinley, who each tied for 29th place with an 80 and sophomore Emiley Patton rounded out the Lady Colonels tied for 36th with an 82. The three-day, 54-hole tournament is taking place at the par 71, 6,069 yard, Beumont Coutry Club.

Texas State shot a 16-over par 300 to take the opening day lead, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi finished four-strokes back with a 304 and tournament host Lamar stands in third with a 305, just five shots off the pace. Defending champion Sam Houston State sits in fourth with a 308, while Central Arkansas (308), McNeese State (309), Texas-San Antonio (312) and Nicholls (314) round out the field.

Linn Gustafsson of Texas State is the first round leader after carding an opening round even-par 71, while Lacy McKinley of McNeese State and Ashley Watkins of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi trail by only one shot after shooting a one-over par 72.

Round two will resume on Tuesday at 8 a.m. with a teams teeing off on the first and 10th hole. Complete coverage of the tournament can be followed live at www.golfstat.com

Day One Team Totals

1. Texas State -- 300 2. A&M-Corpus Christi -- 304 3. Lamar -- 305 4. Sam Houston State -- 306 5 Central Arkansas - 308 6. McNeese State -- 309 7. UTSA -- 312 8. Nicholls State -- 314

Individual Totals

1. Linn Gustafsson, Texas State -- 71 T2. Ashley Watkins, A&M-Corpus Christi -- 72 T2 Lacy McKinley, McNeese State -- 72 T4 Landa Stewart, Sam Houston State -- 73 T4 Melissa Fahey, A&M-Corpus Christi -- 73 T6 Nicole Forshner, Central Arkansas -- 74 T6 Laura Baker, UTSA -- 74