Martin and Ahing Top Leaderboards After Round One of NJCAA Golf Championships
Led by first round individual leaders Alex Martin and Trinity Ahing, the Sandhills Community College men and women golfers got off to a strong start on Tuesday at the NJCAA Division III National Championships held in Chautauqua, NY.
Martin made six birdies on the way to a 4-under par 68, helping the Flyers take nine-stroke lead over second place Georgia Military College in their bid to win a third national title in a row. Nick Johnson of Georgia Military posted a 69 and the Flyers' Ben Read is in third place after an even-par round of 72.
Competing as individuals, Ahing with a round of 74, and teammates Ava Ray with a 79 and Scotty Foley with an 80 respectively, are 1-2-3 with Foley and Ellia Soydara of Minnesota State Community and Technical College tied for third place.
Ahing, a transfer from Western Carolina University, and Ray, a Fuquay Varina High School grad, each made five birdies.
In the second year of the DIII women's championship, Oxford College of Emory (GA) leads the only other complete women's team, RCSJ- Gloucester (NJ), by 27 strokes.
The four-day 72-hole tournaments resume with tee times beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
Martin, a Uwharrie Ridge High School grad, was the runner-up to teammate and medalist Andreas Huber at last year's tournament on the same course.
Also included in today's team score of 292 for Coach Gus Ulrich's Flyers was a 75 by sophomore Logan Hay, who is tied for eight place, and and a 77 by freshman Watcharakan Chankarn, who is tied for 15th place. The Flyers' fifth player, Noah Maness, posted a 78 and is tied for 18th place in the field of 11 teams and 68 golfers.
The Lady Flyers are led by Coach Herb Pike. Foley was the individual champion and Ray was the runner-up at last year's inaugural DIII championship.
Men's Standings - 1. Sandhills 292. 2. Georgia Military 301, 3. Jamestown CC 318, 4. Butler CC 321, 5. Dupage 323, 6. Onondaga 327, T7. Minnesota State 330, T7 Nassau CC 330, 9. RCSG Gloucester 352, 10. Terra State CC 355, 11. Holyoke CC 433. Women's Standings - 1. Oxford College of Emory 393, 2. RCSJ Gloucester 420.
C. Bergmann