University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Terrier Intercollegiate
Reiling Stands Second at Terrier Intercollegiate
10/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Spartanburg, S.C. – Rachel Reiling shot a 2-over-par 74 to lead the USC Upstate women's golf team in the first round of the Terrier Intercollegiate Monday afternoon at the Country Club of Spartanburg and will enter Tuesday's final round in second place.
Reiling started on hole #1 and played the front nine in 3-over. After a bogey on the 11th took her score to 4-over, the senior caught fire to close out the round. She made birdies on the 15th and 17th holes, playing her final 11 holes at 1-under and final seven holes at 2-under. She trails tournament leader Jennifer Dilger (Winthrop) by two strokes.
"Shooting 74 on this course and finishing the way Rachel did was impressive," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "Today was a great day for her and she showed that her best days don't have to be when she hits the ball perfectly. She stayed calm and putted as well as I have ever seen. The course is in perfect shape and the greens are so undulated and fast right now. I am so proud that Rachel's strongest aspect was on the most difficult test."
Upstate opened the tournament with a 323 and counted scores of 74 from Reiling, 80 from Payton Culler, 82 from Sidney Dermody and 87 from Allea Hawkins. The Spartans are fifth, just eight shots back of second place.
Wofford shot a 307 on its home course and leads the tournament. The Lady Terriers are followed on the leaderboard by Appalachian State (315), Winthrop (315), Gardner-Webb (315), Upstate (323), Seminole State (328), Presbyterian (335), Converse (341) and The Citadel (356).
"Overall, we did okay and have a good opportunity to play toward the top of the field tomorrow," said Lawton. "Playing calm and focused, along with good putting, will be the key."
The back nine was much kinder to Upstate than the front nine was on Monday. The Spartans played the front nine at 27-over, but rallied to close out the round by playing the back nine at 8-over, a difference of 19 strokes. Reiling led the way, playing the back nine 1-under-par.
Culler closed out her round by playing the back nine at 2-over to shoot 80. In fact, she played her last 11 holes at 2-over. She is tied for 16th on the individual leaderboard. Dermody was also solid on the back nine. She made just two bogeys to go along with seven pars and is tied for 23rd to give the Spartans three players in the Top 25 in the tournament.
In addition to the five Spartans in the lineup, Upstate players Allie Gennaula and Kinsey Soniat are playing as individuals in the tournament. Gennaula posted a birdie during her round and finished with an 85, while Soniat also recorded a birdie and shot 92.
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