Sept. 6, 2016
DULUTH, Ga. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Auburn women's golf freshman Elena Hualde tied for medalist honors in her first collegiate tournament Tuesday, earning the victory at the Fall Kickoff at Berkeley Hills Country Club.
Hualde, a native of Pamplona, Spain, posted scores of 73-68=141 (-3) to tie Georgia's Harang Lee for the low 36-hole total in the one-day event. Over the 36-hole event, she carded six birdies and three bogeys along with 27 pars. Her second-round score of 68 was the lowest for an Auburn player since the fall of 2014.
"I'm so very proud of Elena for playing so solid in her first college tournament," Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen said. "She will be a great player for Auburn because she has a solid game and a wonderful attitude and outlook on the course."
As a team, Auburn earned a runner-up finish with a score of 293-298=591 (+15). Four Tigers earned individual top-20 finishes.
Junior Kelli Murphy opened with an even-par 72 and finished with a 151 to tie for 16th. Junior Michaela Owen and sophomore Mai Dechathipat tied for 20th with scores of 152 (+8), and freshman Kayley Marschke was one shot back at 9-over, tied for 25th.
Georgia won the event at 585 (+9) with Auburn six shots back in second. Vanderbilt and Augusta tied for third at 600 (+24).
Auburn returns to the course Sept. 16-18 at the Mason Rudolph Championship hosted by Vanderbilt in Franklin, Tenn.
Final results from the Fall Kickoff, hosted by Louisville at Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Ga. (Par 72, 6,183 yards)
Auburn Individuals
T1. Elena Hualde ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 73-68=141 (-3)
T16. Kelli Murphy ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 72-79=151 (+7)
T20. Michaela Owen ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 75-77=152 (+8)
T20. Mai Dechathipat ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 79-73=152 (+8)
T25. Kayley Marschke ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 78-75=153 (+9)
*T35. Clara Baena ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 77-79=156 (+12)
*T35. Maria Donado ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 77-79=156 (+12)
*played as individual, score does not count toward team total
Final Team Standings
1. Georgia ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 292-293=585 (+9)
2. Auburn ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 298-293=591 (+15)
T3. Vanderbilt ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 304-296=600 (+24)
T3. Augusta ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 296-304=600 (+24)
5. Louisville ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 302-303=605 (+29)
6. Louisville (B-Team) ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 309-302=611 (+35)
T7. Georgia State ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 307-308=615 (+39)
T7. College of Charleston ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 304-311=615 (+39)