Spiders Lead After First Round of Patriot League Championship
04/21/2023 | Women's Golf
MIDLOTHIAN, Va. — Playing on their home course, the Richmond Spiders looked unsurprisingly comfortable in the opening round of the Patriot League Women's Golf Championship Friday. Despite the dry, fast, windy conditions, the Spiders posted a team score of 5-over par — tied for the ninth-lowest round in program history — and hold a five-stroke lead after 18 holes.
"It was really exciting. We had a ton of support from the [Richmond Athletics] department today, which was really, really nice for us to see," said Head Coach Calle Barlow. "I think the team has a really good first round under its belt. They're confident on this golf course. I know the conditions weren't great with the wind, but they're not going to get much better; so, a good first day."
Richmond's 5-over 293 was five shots better than Lehigh (+10) and 11 in front of defending champion Boston (+16). Navy (+18), Bucknell (+19), and Holy Cross (+32) round out the leaderboard at the end of Round 1.
With winds gusting throughout the day and the course drying out as play progressed, the Spiders were largely able to avoid big numbers. Richmond made 67 pars, four more than any other team, and 13 birdies, tied with Lehigh for the most in the field.
"I had so much fun out there," said Spiders junior Rory Weinfurther, who is first on the individual leaderboard at 1-under par (71). "I just had a really good day. I was just staying patient the whole day. Being really positive and thinking, 'This is a beautiful day. I get to play my home course with my team.' It was a lot of fun."
Weinfurther, the 2021 Patriot League champion and 2022 runner-up, birdied the 17th and 18th holes to grab the 18-hole lead as the Spiders combined for five scores of birdie or better on the final two holes of the day.
"I missed a short birdie putt on 16, so I was like 'OK, I'll be patient." said Weinfurther. "Then Coach (Barlow) came up to me and told me that 17 was a good hole to get after. That's what I did and I ended up having a really good chip and made birdie. The last shot in on 18 I was kind of nervous but I just hit the ball and made a birdie from it."
"They came in strong on 17 and 18," said Barlow of the Spiders, who were briefly tied with Lehigh at 10-over par before using the final two holes to separate themselves from the pack.
Freshman Olivia Wilkie is second on the leaderboard after shooting an even-par 72, her lowest round of the season. Senior Vicky Zhu, who tied for third at the 2022 Patriot League Championship, is tied for fifth at 2-over par (74).
Sophomore Lauren Jones is also in the top 10. A 4-over 76 has her tied with five other players in 10th place. Freshman Hannah Lydic and senior Muskan Uppal are tied for 18th at 78 (+6).
Tee times for Saturday's second round have been moved up 45 minutes in anticipation of inclement afternoon weather. The Spiders will begin their second round at 8:45 a.m.
"I don't think there's anything much different," said Weinfurther of Richmond's approach to Saturday. "Staying patient on the second day is key — it's only the second day. I think we'll just have the same positive mindset and go out and do our thing."
"Keep playing the same way we're playing," said Barlow of the key for the Spiders in Round 2. "We don't need to back up and play defensive golf. We've got to just keep playing the way we're playing."
"It was really exciting. We had a ton of support from the [Richmond Athletics] department today, which was really, really nice for us to see," said Head Coach Calle Barlow. "I think the team has a really good first round under its belt. They're confident on this golf course. I know the conditions weren't great with the wind, but they're not going to get much better; so, a good first day."
Richmond's 5-over 293 was five shots better than Lehigh (+10) and 11 in front of defending champion Boston (+16). Navy (+18), Bucknell (+19), and Holy Cross (+32) round out the leaderboard at the end of Round 1.
With winds gusting throughout the day and the course drying out as play progressed, the Spiders were largely able to avoid big numbers. Richmond made 67 pars, four more than any other team, and 13 birdies, tied with Lehigh for the most in the field.
"I had so much fun out there," said Spiders junior Rory Weinfurther, who is first on the individual leaderboard at 1-under par (71). "I just had a really good day. I was just staying patient the whole day. Being really positive and thinking, 'This is a beautiful day. I get to play my home course with my team.' It was a lot of fun."
Weinfurther, the 2021 Patriot League champion and 2022 runner-up, birdied the 17th and 18th holes to grab the 18-hole lead as the Spiders combined for five scores of birdie or better on the final two holes of the day.
"I missed a short birdie putt on 16, so I was like 'OK, I'll be patient." said Weinfurther. "Then Coach (Barlow) came up to me and told me that 17 was a good hole to get after. That's what I did and I ended up having a really good chip and made birdie. The last shot in on 18 I was kind of nervous but I just hit the ball and made a birdie from it."
"They came in strong on 17 and 18," said Barlow of the Spiders, who were briefly tied with Lehigh at 10-over par before using the final two holes to separate themselves from the pack.
Freshman Olivia Wilkie is second on the leaderboard after shooting an even-par 72, her lowest round of the season. Senior Vicky Zhu, who tied for third at the 2022 Patriot League Championship, is tied for fifth at 2-over par (74).
Sophomore Lauren Jones is also in the top 10. A 4-over 76 has her tied with five other players in 10th place. Freshman Hannah Lydic and senior Muskan Uppal are tied for 18th at 78 (+6).
Tee times for Saturday's second round have been moved up 45 minutes in anticipation of inclement afternoon weather. The Spiders will begin their second round at 8:45 a.m.
"I don't think there's anything much different," said Weinfurther of Richmond's approach to Saturday. "Staying patient on the second day is key — it's only the second day. I think we'll just have the same positive mindset and go out and do our thing."
"Keep playing the same way we're playing," said Barlow of the key for the Spiders in Round 2. "We don't need to back up and play defensive golf. We've got to just keep playing the way we're playing."
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