WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
* Georgia State sits in 3rd place of the 15 teams in the 22nd annual John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate.
* Lauren Court's 3-under par 69 Monday moved her into a tie for first place
*The event concludes with the final 18 holes Tuesday.
ATLANTA – Host Georgia State shot a 9-over 297 to move up to a tie for third place on Day 2 of the 22nd annual John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate. Middle Tennessee, No. 53 in Golfweek, moved into the lead with a 295 on Monday for a three-stroke lead (600) over Morehead State (603). GSU is tied with Troy in third at 604.
Lauren Court of Georgia State and Fatima Fern Cano of Troy are tied for the lead with 1-under 143 after two days. Jeanette Petersen of Morehead State is third at 1-over 145. GSU's Solene Le Coz is tied for fourth overall at 146 with Maggie Simmermache of ODU.
The 15-team field at Eagle's Landing Country Club in suburban Stockbridge was delayed by three hours with morning rain, but the teams played a shotgun start to get the round in today.
Georgia State got its career-best round (69) from senior Lauren Court, the native of Lawrenceville, Ga. Le Coz, the French native, shot a second-consecutive round of her season-low 73 score. Freshman Yasemin Sari added a 75 Monday to sit in a tie for 18th, while sophomore Jooeun Bae contributed an 80 to the team score.
The event includes five Sun Belt teams with Georgia State and Troy leading that pack. Appalachian State is tied for ninth, with South Alabama and UL Monroe tied 11th.
“I am so, so pleased for the team,” coach Cathy Mant said. ”Coach Lauren Smith and I have been telling them to believe in themselves and a day like today shows their potential. That is the type of golf they are capable of playing. I am happy their hard work is paying off. It is exciting to play well at home for the fans, our athletics staff and boosters. Injured player Emily Royer has been a help to the whole team this week in getting things ready and the team fired up. It is fantastic that Lauren Court's final home match is going well.”
The event continues with 18 holes Tuesday at Eagle's Landing, off exit 224 south of Atlanta. Admission and parking are free. The shotgun start is at 9 a.m. This is Georgia State's final regular season tournament before the Sun Belt Conference championship in two weeks.
