Sept. 7, 2008
OWING HILLS, Md. - The ninth-ranked Auburn women's golf team opened the season by firing a 303-286--589 after playing 36 holes in the 15-team NCAA Fall Preview Sunday at the par 72, 6116 yard Caves Valley Golf Club. The Tigers jumped from eighth after the morning round to fourth after the second 18 holes in the afternoon.
Junior Candace Schepperle is one shot off the individual lead after firing a second round 6-under 66 to finish the day at 5-under par after an opening round 73. Virginia's Jennie Arseneault shot a 68-70--138 to maintain the individual lead.
Sixth-ranked Georgia leads the tournament after shooting a293-286--579. No. 14 Virginia with a 294-583 is in second and No. 4 Arizona State (295-291-586) in third.
"We were sloppy this morning, but we showed good endurance today," head golf coach Kim Evans said. "Playing 36 holes in one day is hard, and I'm especially proud of the way they handled the golf course because it's very hilly. We are going to keep working from the ground up in the final round. We'll take one shot at a time and try to make as many opportunities as we can."
Schepperle posted six birdies, three on the front and back nine, in the second round en route to a 6-under 66, the lowest of any competitor. Sophomore Cydney Clanton is in a five-way tie for eighth at 1-over 145.
"Candace had a big time day today she played incredible, and I'm really proud of her," Evans said. "Cydney Clanton continues to pick up where she left off last year. She put together two solid rounds for us today."
After a rough first round, Sarah Thead and Mariana Macias were able to bounce back in the second round with each Tiger able to knock off at least three strokes. Thead, who was at 5-over 77 in the first round, bounced back on three birdies to close out her second round with a 1-over 73 and is in 26th place. Macias, currently 60th, improved from a first round 81 to a 78.
Perhaps the biggest improvement came from freshman Patricia Sanz. After only being able to card two birdies and double bogeying three holes for a 9-over 81 in the first round, the Madrid, Spain, native finished the second round with a 74.
"I'm really proud of our freshman, Patricia Sanz," Evans said. "She was able to put together a really good round. She hasn't been here from Madrid for very long, but I really like what I am seeing from her.
Southern California (298-297--595), Alabama (294-302--596), Duke (300-297--597), Oklahoma State (302-297--599), Wake Forest (304-305--609), Texas A&M (308-304--612) and Denver (204-308--612) round out the top-10 teams, followed by Arkansas (310-306--616), Florida (312-308--620), Purdue (313-308--621) and Georgetown (327-327--654).
Auburn will tee off at 8 a.m. on the front nine for Tuesday's final round and will be paired with top ranked Southern California and Alabama. Live-scoring is available at Golfstat.com.