Cowgirl golf fifth after opening round of Bobcat Desert Classic

GOODYEAR, Ariz., – Cowgirl golf opened the Bobcat Desert Classic by shooting a collective 295 (+7) Monday on the par-72, 6,154-yard Golf Course of Estrella.

Wyoming enters Tuesday's second round in fifth place after being paced by freshmen Kira Reisner and junior Grace Dunkleberger, who both shot 72 to finish at even par, which tied them for 11th on the individual leaderboard.

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"Very competitive rounds today even with some putts left out there," UW head coach Josey Stender said. "Kira fought hard to get it back to even, and Grace was steady from start to finish."

Idaho leads the 10-team field through 18 holes after shooting a 286 (-2). The Vandals' Zoe Newell fired a 66 (-6) to outpace Montana State's Lauren Greeny (-5) by one stroke.

Cowgirl freshmen Lucia Morelli, playing as an individual, is in early contention for medalist honors after shooting a 70 (-2).

UW's Kyle Wilde (+3) finished the first round in 21st place with Meghan Vogt and Sophie Spiva tied for 26th at +4.

"We have a lot of golf left and if we can feel more confident on the greens we should improve the next two rounds," Stender said.

The Cowgirls are looking to find their best form entering the Mountain West Championship April 15-17 in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Bobcat Desert Classic Team Scores

1. Idaho – 286 (-2)
2. Weber State – 288 (E)
2. Utah Tech – 288 (E)
4. Montana State – 291 (+3)
5. Wyoming – 295 (+7)
6. Montana – 297 (+9)
7. Portland State – 304 (+16)
8. Eastern Washington – 305 (+17)
8. Idaho State – 311 (+23)
10. North Idaho – 336 (+48)

Cowgirls Team Scores

T11 Kira Reisner 72 (E)
T11 Grace Dunkleberger 72 (E)
T21 Kyla Wilde 75 (+3)
T26 Sophie Spiva 76 (+4)
T26 Meghan Vogt 76 (+4)

Cowgirls Individual Scores

T6 Lucia Morelli 70 (-2)
T18 Emerson Purcell 74 (+2)