SAFFOLD LEADS WOMEN'S GOLF IN WEATHER-SHORTENED CHIP-N CLASSIC

9/14/2010

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Sacramento State women's golf team opened its 2010-11 season at the Chip-N Classic on Monday but it was the weather that came out on top.

The first day was scheduled for 36 holes but following the first round, three separate weather delays forced the teams off the course. The teams will complete the second round on Tuesday before playing the final round.

Sacramento State totaled 316 in the first round and stood in 14th place at the break. Senior Samantha Saffold led the team with a round of 77 and was tied for 26th place. Junior Justine Chen is tied for 47th after recording a round of 79. The team also received a round of 80 from Kercia Brakel and Ellese Dias. The pair are tied for 57th. Julie Shutler shot 86 and is tied for 84th.

Texas-San Antonio built a 5-stroke lead after the first 18 holes with a team score of 294. Kansas State is second at 299 while Kansas is one stroke back in third.

UTSA's Taylor Newlin shot 70 to hold the individual lead. She is trailed by North Dakota State's Amy Anderson (71).

Soon after the completion of the opening round, severe weather began to take control on the 6,238-yard, par-72 layout at Wilderness Ridge.

A brief, early afternoon lightning delay forced players off the course for approximately 45 minutes. After the delay, the golfers returned to the course for approximately five holes before lightning and heavy rains again caused a delay of more than one hour.

The golfers found another break in the weather at approximately 5:15 before a massive front from the north caused a nearly 15-degree drop in temperatures in less than 30 minutes.

The golfers were called off the course again at 5:35 p.m. and play was suspended until Tuesday morning, when the second round will resume. With overnight rains in the forecast, play was set to begin at 9 a.m. (originally scheduled for 8:30 a.m.).

Team Scores (First Round Only)
1. UTSA - 294?
2. Kansas State - 299?
3. Kansas - 300?
4. Central Arkansas - 301?
5. Texas State - 305?
T6. Arkansas State - 306?
T6. James Madison - 306?
8. Iowa - 308?
9. Akron - 309?
10. Missouri - 313?
T11. Nebraska - 314
T11. North Dakota State - 314
T11. South Dakota State - 314?
14. Sacramento State - 316
15. Creighton - 325

Individual Top Five
1. Taylor Newlin (UTSA) - 70?
2. Amy Anderson (North Dakota State) - 71
T3. Julia Roth (Central Arkansas) - 72?
T3. Anna Carling (Arkansas State) - 72
T3. Meghna Bal (Kansas) - 72?
T3. Trine Mortensen (Texas State) - 72?

Sacramento State Scores
T26. Samantha Saffold 77
T47. Justine Chen 79
T57. Kercia Brakel 80
T57. Ellese Dias 80
T84. Julie Shutler 86