Competing in its first tournament of the 2015-16 season, the Arkansas State women’s golf team completed the Memphis Intercollegiate’s opening day in 12th place after recording a two-round 634 at the Ridgeway Country club.
The Red Wolves ended the first round in 14th place with a 324, but climbed two places by cutting 14 strokes off that total for the second 18 holes. Four of A-State’s six competing golfers lowered their score in the second round, including sophomore Olivia Loiacano with a team-best 75.
A-State was led by senior Abi Laker, who stands tied for 17th place with a combined 152. Her total included a team-best 74 for the opening 18 holes, which also tied her lowest round for all of last season. She came back to card a 78 in the second round and will be looking for her 14th career top-25 finish tomorrow.
Following Laker, and competing as an individual, sophomore Sarah Childers is tied for 41st place with a combined 158 (77-81). Loiacano is tied for 49th place with a 160, which included a first-round 85 in addition to her 75 for the first 18 holes. Her second-round score was the third lowest of her career.
Also competing for the Red Wolves, sophomore Emma Miller is tied for 66th place with a 162 (82-80), sophomore Kirsten Garner tied for 69th (83-80) and freshman Beth Ann Compton tied for 71st (87-77).
Arkansas State leads 13th-place UAB by nine strokes, while it trails 11th-place Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by three. Host-school Memphis leads the 15-team field with a 589. Ole Miss stands second with a 609 and Cincinnati third with a 611.
The tournament’s third and final round will be played Tuesday.
ARKANSAS STATE RESULTS
Place, Name (RD 1-RD 2--TOTAL)
12, Arkansas State (324-310--634)
T17, Abi Laker (74-78--152)
T41, *Sarah Childers (77-81--158)
T49, Olivia Loiacano (85-75--160)
T66, Emma Miller (82-80--162)
T69, Kirsten Garner (83-80--163)
T71, Beth Ann Compton (87-77--164)