Dittemore, Elliott Carry Bobcat Golf Through First Day of Big Sky Championship

Friday, April 19

Boulder City, NV (Boulder Creek GC)

8 a.m.

Montana State University

Big Sky Conference Championship

Photo by: Big Sky Conference

Dittemore, Elliott Carry Bobcat Golf Through First Day of Big Sky Championship

4/19/2019 4:45:00 PM | Women's Golf

Round 1 Results

Two Bobcats are in the top six individually and Montana State is in contention following the opening day of the conference tournament

By: Andrew Pedersen

BOULDER CITY, Nev. – Two Montana State golfers are among the individual leaders and the Bobcats are in contention in the team standings following the first round of the Big Sky Championship on Friday, April 19, at Boulder Creek Golf Club.

Montana State is tied for third in in the team competition after the first 18 holes. The Bobcats carded 294 strokes on Friday and are four strokes off championship leader Sacramento State. MSU's team mark is the second best 18-hole score the Bobcats have ever recorded at a Big Sky tournament, just one stroke behind their best score of 293 set at the 2013 meet. It also ties MSU's seventh best 18-hole score the squad has fired in program history.

"We got through round one in a good position and that was the goal," Montana State head coach Brittany Bayse said. "Now we have the ability to play some golf and not worry about trying to play catch up. The course had good conditions and played well with the wind at a minimum. Today was a good start for us."

The Bobcats were led through the first round by senior Clare Dittemore and junior Delaney Elliott.

Dittemore opened the tournament by completing a career-best round. The Bobcat senior shot a 2-under-par 70 behind four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 16th. She was 4-under through seven holes, but still managed to finish 18 holes in a tie for third individually. Elliott fired a 1-under 71 with two birdies and just one bogey on her scorecard playing in the Bobcats' No. 1 slot. She's in sixth place on the individual leaderboard.

Junior Kelly Hooper closed out her opening round strong to help bolster the Bobcat lineup. Hooper shot 1-under on the back nine and completed the day at 2-over 74 and is tied for 17th.

Elliott finished the first round with a tournament-high 15 pars through 18 holes. Dittemore had the best score in the playing field with a 1-under on par 4s and tied for second among competitors at 3-under on par 5s. Hooper is tied for second in the individual field on par 3s with her carding 1-under on those holes Friday.

"Clare and Delaney played really well for us," Basye said. "Kelly hung in there throughout the day and that was great. We really need a fourth score if we want to stay in it. I'm hoping the next two days we will have it."

Rounding out the Bobcat lineup were Coral Schulz and Sofia Rodriguez Todd. Both shot respectable scores to open Big Sky tournament play. Schulz shot a 7-over 79 to complete MSU's team score and is tied for 39th. Rodriguez Todd carded a 2-over on the front nine, but eventually finished at 8-over 80 to begin the championship and is tied for 44th.

Sacramento State paces the team standings as the Hornets shot a 2-over 290 through the first 18 holes. Eastern Washington sits in second with 293 strokes, while Montana State is tied with Portland State. Northern Colorado's Beah Cruz and Sacramento State's Sofie Babic are tied for the individual lead at 3-under 69.

The Bobcats are slated to tee off at 8:45 p.m. MDT for round two of the Big Sky Golf Championship in Boulder City on Saturday. Montana State is paired with Portland State and Idaho in the second group starting action in the second round.