Golfers Hold Two-Shot Lead After Round 1

Sunday, September 26

Rochester, MI / Katke-Cousins GC

12 p.m.

Central Michigan University

Golden Grizzlies Invitational

Photo by: Andy Sneddon

9/26/2021 8:44:00 PM | Women's Golf

Chitty leads CMU with career-best 72, stands tied for second

By: Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Padgett Chitty shot an even-par 72 on Sunday to lead the Central Michigan women's golf team to a solid 297 team score in the first round of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies Invitational at Katke-Cousins Golf Course.

The Chippewas hold a two-shot lead over Detroit Mercy (299) in the seven-team field. Eastern Michigan (301) is third. The 297 is the fifth-best 18-hole score in CMU history.

The final round of the 36-hole event is scheduled for Monday with a 9 a.m. shotgun start on the 5,972-yard par-72 layout.

The Chippewas are gunning for their second consecutive tournament victory after they won their season-opening A-Ga-Ming Invitational in Kewadin, Mich., three weeks ago. CMU is also eyeing its second straight Golden Grizzlies title.

"I think they're comfortable with where they're at for sure," CMU coach Jim Earle said of his players. "We weren't popping champagne and acting like we had won the event after round one. We know we have a job to do, and we know we've got to go out and get it done tomorrow.

"The last time I checked this is a 36-hole tournament. We're going to give it all we've got tomorrow. If someone's able to come up and beat us, hat's off to them, but we're going to be ready."

Chitty's 72 is her career best, topping the 73 she had shot on four occasions as a Chippewa. She is tied for second with Kyleigh Dull of Eastern Michigan. Ariel Chang of Detroit Mercy leads by one shot after her opening-round 1-under 71.

Chitty played the front nine in 3-over and then made three birdies on the homeward nine.

"She hit quality shots," Earle said. "She made a couple of longer putts (on the back) as well. She was really good; especially tee to green, she was really good. She really never left the flag stick on the back nine. She had a real key up and down on the 14^th hole, a really tough hole. She's definitely starting to come into her own for sure."

Also for the Chippewas, Casilda Allendesalazar posted a 2-over 74, Claudia Salvador shot a 3-over 75, and Zoe Vartyan and Rachel Kauflin both came in at 4-over 76.

Allendasalazar is among a group tied for sixth, Salvador is tied for 12^th, and Kauflin and Vartyan are among a group tied for 17^th in the 49-player field.

The five Chippewas combined to make 16 birdies and 50 pars. Chitty, Allendasalazar and Kauflin made four birdies each.

"We had five good scores today," Earle said. "This is not an easy golf course. It's a difficult track. There's not a hole that you could sort of let your guard down on. Every hole is incredibly difficult. To break 300 there, that's always a good sign. They all just fought hard. We made plenty of birdies out there. We're going to have to do the same thing tomorrow."

Four of the Chippewas' 16 birdies came on the front nine; 12 came on the back.

"I was really pleased with the way they finished off their rounds of golf today," Earle said. "That's a big step in the right direction. Today we closed out some rounds of golf."

Three Chippewas, Mackenzie Baustad, Ashley Goh, and Ashley Liles, are playing the tournament as individuals. Baustad shot 78 on Sunday, Liles shot 80, and Goh came in at 81.