Drake Creek First Day Team Results | Drake Creek First Day Individual Leaderboard
LEDBETTER, Ky. — Steady efforts at the top from Georgina Blackman and Mary Joiner helped the WKU women's golf team finish Monday's first day of the Drake Creek Invitational with an eight-stroke lead heading into Tuesday's final round.
The Lady Toppers fired an 18-over 594 (294-300) team total in the first two rounds of the event hosted by Murray State at the par-72, 6,178-yard Drake Creek Golf Club. That was ahead of Murray State's secondary squad, which sits second with a 602 total.
WKU had just three team rounds of 294 or better all last season. The Lady Toppers are pursuing their fourth tournament championship since head coach Adam Gary took the reins in 2014-15.
"I'm proud of the start we had today," Gary said. "The hard work the girls have been putting in since the start of school is paying off. It's nice to have the lead, but we still have work to do tomorrow."
Blackman, a junior, and Joiner, a freshman, are also among four golfers tied for the individual lead after each turning in a 146 (71-75) total across Monday's first two rounds.
There was only one score – a second-round 70 – better Monday than the 71s shot by Blackman and Joiner, a Franklin, Ky., native making her college debut. The Lady Toppers carded seven total rounds of 71 or better all last season.
Junior Emily Alexander is also in the hunt after shooting a pair of 75s for a 150 total, tying her for eighth individually.
Senior Daniela Galassi is tied for 15th (77-75-152). The second-round 75 tied her career best, and the 152 total is the best 36-hole effort of her career.
Junior Katie Story is tied for 33rd with a 157 (79-78) tally, and freshman Abigail Smee is tied for 20th after going 77-78-155 while playing as an individual.
Also joining Blackman and Joiner atop the individual leaderboard are Lipscomb's Samantha Griffith and Murray State's Jane Watts.
Play concludes with the final 18 holes Tuesday, starting with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
WKU Results Through Two Rounds
T1. Georgina Blackman (71-75-146)
T1. Mary Joiner (71-75-146)
T8. Emily Alexander (75-75-150)
T15. Daniela Galassi (77-75-152)
T22. Abigail Smee (77-78-155)
T33. Katie Story (79-78-157)
