WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
* GSU is in eighth-place in the 15-team Notre Dame Clover Cup in Mesa, Ariz. with a field of 10 teams ranked in the top 100.
* The Panthers produced 13 birdies and an eagle in Friday's Day 1 competition.
* Senior Lauren Court carded a 2-over 74 to tie for 11th in the 89-golfer field.
MESA, ARIZ. – With 13 birdies and an eagle in the opening round, Georgia State sits in eighth-place in the 15-team Notre Dame Clover Cup at Longbow Golf Course in Mesa, Arizona. Ten of the teams are ranked in the top 100 in the NCAA.
The Panthers opening-day leader was senior Lauren Court, who carded a 2-over 74, after a 2-under back nine 34 that included an eagle and two birdies. Court sits in a tie for 11th-place among the 89 golfers on Day 1. Freshman Yasemin Sari added a 5-over 77 round that included five birdies, but a triple-bogey and a double-bogey to keep her from moving up from her tie in 27th-place.
No. 27 Arizona State took the Day 1 lead with a 7-over round of 295, with host and No. 37-ranked Notre Dame in second place and No. 67 Oklahoma in third. GSU's 13 birdies led the field on Day 1, with Arizona State making 11 birdies.
"We're glad to be in warm golf conditions and not be wearing layers of clothing to play like we have been, first of all," coach Cathy Mant said. "I was pleased to see all the birdies today, but this course is penal if you don't keep the ball in the fairway. It is a tough course and why the scores were high.
"I was glad to see Lauren do well and have that strong back nine," Mant added. "Jooeun came back strong on her back nine and Yassemin is a real fighter.
"The greens are hard and fast and the balls hit and bounce long off the green if you don't play it right," coach said. "And, the heat makes hydration crucial and fatigue can set it later in the day on you if you aren't prepared. We'll look forward to playing Day 2 and starting in the middle of the pack."
Georgia State's 312 (+24) score sophomore Jooeun Bae posted an 8-over round of 80 in her first action of the spring season, freshman Emily Royer shot an 81 and freshman Paula Zabarte carded an 88.
The temperatures were in the upper 80 degree range in the Arizona desert. GSU will be paired with TCU and Cincinnati in Saturday's Round 2. The final 18 holes will be played Sunday.
