Brooks Paces Elon Women’s Golf Phoenix on Day One of Kiawah Island Classic

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Participating in the largest NCAA Division I women’s golf tournament in the nation, the Elon squad fired a first-round 301 to sit in a tie for ninth following the first round of the Kiawah Island Classic hosted by College of Charleston.

The Phoenix was paced by Emily Brooks who notched a two-over par 74 over her first 18 holes of spring action. Brooks’ mark has her in a tie for 23rd out of the 192 participants. She began her day on the back nine, where she birdied the par-three 14th hole. Brooks would later birdie the par-five fifth.

In a tie for 35th are a pair of Elon golfers – Sunna Vidisdottir and Kelsey Badmaev – who both carded a round of 75. Vidisdottir, who missed part of the fall season due to injury, was even par on all but three holes on the day. Badmaev, who also started on the back nine, birdied the par-four 16th hole. She was even par on her first eight holes of the front nine, but finished her round with a birdie on the par-five ninth hole.

Katie Partridge posted a 77 on day one and sits in a tie for 62nd. Partridge birdied both the par-three 14th and the par-four fifth holes on the day.

Finally, Taylor Wilkerson shot a first-round 88 to tie for 160th. Wilkerson had one birdie – the par-four 16th hole.

Competing as an individual, Elon’s Kathryn Buckingham also shot a 77 to tie for 62nd. She had birdies on both the 15th and ninth holes, both par fours.

Three players posted first-round scores of 69 to share the individual lead on day one – Anna Kim of St. John’s, Wad Phaewchimplee of Kent State and Taylor McGraw of Troy.

The 36-team field was paced by Troy’s score of 291 on Sunday. Just one stroke back is a trio of schools – 37th-ranked Kent State, Jacksonville State and St. John’s. In fifth with a 295 is North Florida.

Elon shares ninth place with Delaware and Arkansas State, but is one stroke back of High Point and Penn State who are tied for seventh.

Fellow SoCon schools Chattanooga (6th, 297), Samford (T-12th, 302), UNCG (T-17th, 312) and The Citadel (35th, 342) are also in the field.