DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Alexandria Eckenrod (Fr., Mason City, IA) leads a trio of NIACC golfers after the first day of the 2012 NJCAA Women’s National Tournament held at the LPGA International Golf Course in Daytona Beach.
Eckenrod shot a 91in her first round of the four-day tournament, which tied her for 55th place in the 116 person field. Teammate Mikayla Smith (Fr., Mason City, IA) shot 93 to tie for 64th, and Sarah Steinauer (Fr., Clarinda, IA) carded a 97, and is tied for 78th.
“I think they are all a little disappointed with their first rounds, but they’re definitely not discouraged because they all played pretty well overall today,” NIACC golf coach Chris Frenz said. “It’s just a much longer course than we’re used to and it takes awhile to get used to hitting those longer second shots.”
Unlike other national competitions at the NJCAA level, teams from Division I, II and III all play against each other at the women’s golf championship. NIACC is a Division II school.
Despite playing against higher competition, the players are within range hitting their targets after the first day.
“Our goal for all three girls coming in is to get inside the top-60, because that means you beat half the field,” Frenz said. “If you look at other players from our region down here, there were only three others that beat Alexandria, so we’re right in the mix.”
“I’m looking forward to better scores tomorrow and with four days of competition we’ll see where we end up. We have to battle a tough course, and hot muggy weather conditions we’re not used to.”
All three will start their second rounds around noon tomorrow. You can follow the tournament at http://www.daytonastate.edu/golf/njcaa.html.
