SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (Sept. 25, 2023) – The Northern Arizona University golf team saw success both as a team and as individuals on the first day of the Big Sky 54 for IX Invitational.
The Lumberjacks are in action at the Talonscove Golf Club (Par-72, 6,350 yards) in Saratoga Springs, Utah and played the first two of three rounds this afternoon. The first-of-its-kind invitational is being hosted by the Big Sky Conference and all 10 league institutions plus Hartford, Southern Utah, Utah Valley, and Utah Tech are competing.
After day one, Northern Arizona sits in third place after shooting a 577 (+1) as a team. The total is the fourth-lowest 36-hole score in program history and the 288 (E) that the Lumberjacks shot in round two is tied for ninth all-time. NAU shot a 289 (+1) in the first round and today's first and second round totals are the lowest so far this season.
Both
Amy Hodgkins and
Ellena Slater made their individual marks in the record book as well.
Hodgkins, a true freshman, ends the day in second place and will enter the third round tomorrow just one stroke out of first. She started the day shooting a 69 (-3) and improved in round two with a 68 (-4) to total 137 (-7) strokes. Her second-round total is tied for third for the lowest round in program history, and her low-36 hole total ties a school record.
After shooting a 71 (-1) in the third round of the Leadership and Golf Invitational last week, Hodgkins has now recorded three-straight rounds under par. Between the first two rounds, Hodgkins recorded nine birdies.
Although she is competing as an individual and her scores won't count towards the team total, Slater also recorded two rounds under par today and has a new career low for 36 holes of 140 (-4) to place third. Slater recorded a 71 (-1) in round two and a 69 (-3) in the second round. The sophomore now has 11 career rounds at par or better and four career rounds in the 60's. Additionally, her 36-hole total is tied for fifth all-time in program history.
Fellow true freshman
Frankie Dezis recorded her first career round at par or better today after a shooting a 71 (-1) with four birdies in the opening round. She shot a 74 (+2) for a new 36-hole career low of 145 (+1), which bettered her previous low by 11 strokes. Dezis will enter the final round tomorrow tied for 14
th.
Right behind Dezis is sophomore
Lizzie Neale who put together her best 36 holes of the season, shooting a consistent 73 (+1) in both rounds to total 146 (+2) to place tied for 19
th.
Fifth-year
Lorel Hayward shot a 76 (+4) in the first round and improved with a 72 (E) in the second, marking her first round at par or better this season and the sixth of her career. Her two-round total of 148 (+4) is the best this season and ties her for 38
th.
Both
Nina Lukyanenko and
Ekaterina Malakhova are making their season debuts this week. Lukyanenko, who is playing as an individual as well, is tied for 41
st with a two-round total of 150 (+6). The sophomore shot a 77 (+5) in the first round and improved with a 73 (+1) in round two.
Malakhova shot a 79 (+7) in both rounds and is tied for 75
th with a total of 158 (+14) strokes.
On a tight leaderboard, the defending Big Sky champions Sacramento State lead the way after shooting a 568 (E) today. The Lumberjacks enter tomorrow just six strokes behind second-place Montana State and five strokes ahead of fifth-place Southern Utah.
Northern Arizona tees off tomorrow at 7:15 a.m. Mountain Standard time with live scoring available on Golfstat for the third and final round.
Individual Results
2.
Amy Hodgkins (69-68=137 -7)
*3.
Ellena Slater (71-69=140 -4)
T14.
Frankie Dezis (71-74=145 +1)
T19.
Lizzie Neale (73-73=146 +2)
T38.
Lorel Hayward (76-72=148 +4)
*T41.
Nina Lukyanenko (77-73= 150 +6)
T75.
Ekaterina Malakhova (79-79=150 +14)
*Competing as Individuals
