STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. – The FGCU women's golf team got off to another strong start this week, carding a total score of 300 on the first day of the John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate. The Eagles 12-over score ties them for fifth place after one round.
 
"We had a solid day this morning," said head coach Sarah Trew. "Once again Madeline (Marck-Sherk) led us with an under par round. She's been on fire these last couple tournaments. Kelsy (Holbert) also paced us with a solid round including four birdies. We can save some shots tomorrow on and around the green by making some smarter decisions out there. We got careless with a few things and it cost us. I think we're more than capable of putting up a low score tomorrow if stay more patient and try not to force things."
 
Marck-Sherk (Ridgeway, Ontario/Ridgeway Crystal Beach HS) once again anchored the team with a first round score of 71, which ties her for second place in the field of 82 participants. The rising sophomore carded birdies on holes 6, 15 and 18 to offset a pair of bogeys en route to her under par total. She will enter tomorrow's second round just three shots behind tournament leader Elsa Moberly from Eastern Kentucky.
 
Holbert (Lutz, Fla./Steinbrenner HS) recorded a first round score of 74 (+2), which ties her for 12th in the field. She collected a team-high four birdies, three of which came off the front nine. Her double-bogey on hole 2 kept her from a top-10 finish and will likely be an area where the sophomore will look to improve tomorrow.
 
Lone senior Blonien (Altus, Okla./Altus HS) finished her first round with a score of plus-5 score of 77, while freshman Clark (Navarre, Fla./Navarre HS) trailed just behind with a total score of 78. Clark remained even through the front nine, but was plagued with bogeys on the backend, finishing the day six-over.
 
The Eagles will tee off again tomorrow for round two of the tournament. Live scoring will be available at GolfStat.com.
 
FGCU Lineup
T2 Madeline Marck-Sherk: 71 (-1)
T12 Kelsy Holbert: 74 (+2)
T33 Megan Blonien: 77 (+5)
T40 Ailsa Clark: 78 (+6)
82 Madison Easterbrook: DQ
 
COMPLETE FIELD (Golfstat rankings as of 3/21)
1. 92 Murray State: 293 (+5)
2. 99 Eastern Kentucky: 294 (+6)
3. 150 Oral Roberts: 296 (+8)
4. 48 Kansas State: 298 (+10)
T5. 136 FGCU: 300 (+12)
T5. 162 Winthrop: 300 (+12)
7. 105 Tulsa: 303 (+15)
8. 149 Georgia State: 310 (+22)
9. 158 UAB: 311 (+23)
10. 175 Appalachian State: 312 (+24)
T11. 153 Western Michigan: 315 (+27)
T11. 178 Western Carolina: 315 (+27)
13. 200 South Alabama: 317 (+29)
14. 196 ULM: 329 (+41)
15. 230 Central Michigan: 338 (+50
 
COACH TREW
Head coach Sarah Trew recently is currently in her 6th season at the helm of the FGCU women's golf team after being named ASUN Coach of the Year in 2016. Trew took over in 2011 and has since guided the Eagles to the program's best-ever finish in the ASUN Tournament and to 20 top-10 finishes. A year ago, Trew led the team to several records on and off the course. The 2013-14 squad set a new single-season scoring record with a team average of 307.88, while also setting a new benchmark academically. The spring of 2015 saw the Eagles again take third place at the ASUN Championship, and recording their best team score of the season while 2016 again set a new standard. The 2015-16 squad recorded a new program best with a 305.29 average and took a second-place finish at the conference tournament. In that event, the Eagles carded a team score of 290 to set the program's new record and earned the top finish in program history.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU women's golf program, follow on Twitter at @FGCU_WGolf and on Facebook at /FGCUWGolf.