NAU freshman Stephanie Kim shot a first-round 69.
Day 1 Results
Day 2 Tee-Times
Defending champion Northern Arizona shot a first-round 294 and holds a one-shot lead after the first round of the 2010 Big Sky Conference Golf Championship presented by Black Clover.
Monday's first round at the Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Ariz., provided a host of low team and individual scores.
Big Sky Player and Freshman of the Year Stephanie Kim led the Lumberjacks with a three-under-par 69 to take the individual lead. Senior Megan Buck responded with a collegiate-low round of 70.
NAU's six-over-par 294, which tied for the fifth-lowest score in tournament history, wasn't enough to provide a cushion from the competition.
“We came in here knowing it was going to take three good rounds to win this tournament,” said NAU Head Coach Brad Bedortha. “It is going to be 54 holes of competitive golf.”
Portland State, led by 71 from freshman Britney Yada, posted an impressive 295. Sacramento State also came in under 300 at 299. Northern Colorado had a strong first day with a 300.
In 2009, the first year the tournament was played at Ocotillo, just one player broke par. Monday's first round saw three players under par and another at even par.
Sacramento State junior Samantha Saffold, who teed off in the third group of the day, took the early lead with a 72.
Portland State junior Alexia Brown is one of three players tied fof fifth. Brown, Montana State's Molly Dorans and Northern Colorado's Chelsea Silvers all shot 74
Defending indiviudal champion Ali Nelson is one of six golfers tied for eighth at 75.
A total of 27 of the 45 players broke 80.
Tuesday's second round begins at 6:30 a.m. The final round is Wednesday.