Rancho Mirage, Calif.—Three Spartans finished in the top-five, and the San José State women's golf team has a four-shot lead after the first round of the 2019 Mountain West Championship on Monday at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at the Mission Hills Country Club.
San José State finished the day shooting 299, and has a four-shot lead over San Diego State at 303, and a six-shot lead over Nevada at 305.
"This was a good solid start for us," said Spartan head coach Dana Dormann. "We had three very solid scores and just need to get our fourth score solidified."
Natasha Andrea Oon shot an even-par 72 to end the day in second place. Oon is one of five players in the field to make 13 pars during her round. She was one-over par for her first nine holes, making seven pars, a birdie on the par-five #2 and a double bogey on the par-four #6. Oon started the back nine by going birdie-par-birdie-par-bogey and then made four pars to finish her round.
"Natasha is maturing as a player and playing steading golf for us. She learns from her past mistakes. Now, we just need to get a few more putts to fall for her," said Dormann.
Abegail Arevalo and Antonia Malate each shot a two-over 74 and are tied for fifth place. Arevalo was even par through 17 holes, making three birdies, three bogeys and 11 pars. However, a double bogey on the 18th hole had her finish at 74. Malate was one-under for her first nine holes, making birdies on her first hole of the day and #7 with a bogey on #3 and six pars. Over her final nine holes, she made three bogeys and six pars to finish at 74.
"Abby and Antonia were very solid today," said Dormann. "She had a rough finish on 18 with the front hole pin placement as she got the ball on the green, but it spun back into the lake. I know she will bounce back tomorrow as she has been our steady leader we can rely on this season. Antonia has also been learning and maturing this season and is doing really well."
Maddie White shot a seven-over 79 to finish tied for 22nd, while Franziska Friedrich was nine-over par at 81 to tie for 27th . White finished her round by making one of her two birdies on the day on the par-5 #18. Friedrich's only birdie came on the par-five #9.
"Maddie is just steady on the course, and Franziska made good shots today. She just didn't get her putts to fall which she is working on to get better."
Second round action begins with tee times at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. The Spartans, along with San Diego State and Nevada, start their rounds with the first players beginning at 8:30 a.m.
2019 Mountain West Women's Golf Championship
Dinah Shore Tournament Course
Mission Hills Country Club
Par 72, 6,270 yards
Team Standings (after first round)
1. San José State 299 +11
2. San Diego State 303 +15
3. Nevada 305 +17
4. UNLV 310 +22
5. Boise State 313 +25
5. Fresno State 313 +25
5. Wyoming 313 +25
8. New Mexico 318 +30
9. Colorado State 321 +33
Individual Standings
1. Brigitte Thibault, Fresno State 71 -1
2. Natasha Andrea Oon, San José State 72 E
San José State Results
2. Natasha Andrea Oon 72
5. Abegail Arevalo 74
5. Antonia Malate 74
22. Maddie White 79
27. Franziska Friedrich 81
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