Stanhope Shoots 85 to Open NCAA Championship

FINDLAY, Ohio – Montana State Billings freshman Kalli Stanhope opened the 2009 NCAA Championship with an 85 on Wednesday to kickoff the 72-hole tournament.  Stanhope currently is tied for 62nd in the 72-player field on the par 72, 6,219-yard, Findlay Golf and Country Club.

Tarleton State’s, Carla Cooper and Pfeiffer’s Charlene Reid lead the field as the both players shot a 2-under 70.  Tarleton State also leads the team competition with a 13-over 301.  Indianapolis University is second with a 307, followed by host Rollins College (309), Grand Valley State (310) and Nova Southeastern (314) to round out the top five.

Stanhope opened the tournament, paring her first four holes before recording three bogeys on the final five holes of the front nine for a 39.  On the back nine, Stanhope got into some trouble as she pared just two holes and recorded bogey or more on seven for a 46. 

Stanhope, along with Florida Tech’s Daniela Iacobelli (T-3rd) and Lyndsey Bevill (T-47th) of Northern Kentucky will tee off tomorrow at 10:15 a.m., Eastern time.  Iacobelli currently is ranked sixth nationally by GolfStat.

Fans can follow her scored by logging on to http://golfstatresults.com/public/index.cfm?tournament_id=1499