Golf finishes ninth after first day of championships

Golf finishes ninth after first day of championships

By Brian Farrell, QBSN Staff Writer

Through round one of the Northeast Conference Championships, the Bobcats sit at ninth place 17 strokes back of Robert Morris and Central Connecticut, knotted up for seventh place.

After yesterday’s practice round, coach John O’Connor said that the team was as ready as they have ever been.

“[Kayla Ketcheson]’s practice round included four birdies, and it seemed effortless,” O’Connor wrote in an email Thursday night.

Ketcheson shot a team-high 82 (42-40, +10). Her strongest portion of the round came on the back nine when she shot four straight pars. Ketcheson also led the team with two birdies, both coming on the front nine.

Hannah Russell made her return today after missing the last two tournaments and finished three strokes back of Ketcheson with an 85 (43-42, +13). Russell is the only freshman competing in the NEC Championships for Quinnipiac. Russell’s lack of experience showed when she bogeyed or double bogeyed each of the last four holes. Nonetheless, something should be said for a freshman that can finish just three stokes back of the team leader.

Nagel made what O’Connor described as a “slight swing change” that has given her better yardage. Nagel, one of just two Quinnipiac golfers returning to the NEC Championships, shot an 89 (43-46, +17) today.

Jennifer Forlenza, the other returning Bobcat, finished one stroke ahead of Nagel with an 88 (44-44, +15). Forlenza’s consistent score came thanks to a pair of pars on the fifth and sixth holes of the afternoon.

Nicole Ferretti ended the day with a 95 (44-51, +23). Ferretti ran into some trouble at the end of the front nine, but did pick up a par on the sixth hole of the afternoon.

“We are constantly talking about our course management,” O’Connor said.  “Nicole is like a sponge just anxious to get better and better, and I’m confident she will put together at least on if not more very special rounds this weekend.”

Tomorrow’s tee time is also set for 9 a.m.