April 20, 2009

Big West Championship (live scoring and results)

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Sophomore Alice Kim's even-par 72 in the second round helped her into a tie for first at the Big West Conference Championships as the UC Davis women's golf team grabbed second place after 36 holes, just two shots out of first at San Luis Obispo Country Club.

Kim's tournament-best round has her tied at 6-over 150 with UC Irvine's Patty Chawalitmetha and Lee Lopez of Long Beach State. The Aggies' Chelsea Stelzmiller is tied for fourth, just three shots off the pace.

The Aggies, trying to earn a bid to the NCAA Division I Championships for the second straight year, are at 47-over 623, only two strokes behind No. 49 Long Beach State which is in first. They're four shots in front of defending champion UC Irvine as the six Big West teams ready for Tuesday's final round at the 6,168-yard course.

The winning team earns an automatic berth to the NCAA posteason. UC Davis received an at-large to last year's regional tournament before advancing in sudden-death to the national finals where it finished 21st.

UC Riverside is in fourth at this week's tournament and is followed by Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge.

The Aggies trailed Long Beach State by seven strokes after Monday's first round, shooting a 27-over 315. However, they rallied in the afternoon, carding a 308 and tying the 49ers - who had that score in the morning - for the low round of the day.

Kim had a stellar second round, picking up two birdies over her final seven holes to help her go from 1 over and finish with a 72. Both of her rounds featured 12 pars. She had a 78 over her first 18 holes.

Stelzmiller had three birdies while shooting 77 in the first round and then had another in the second while carding a 76. She's tied with Cal Poly's Stephanie Yocum at 9-over.

UC Davis' Lauren Dobashi opened with a 79 and is tied for 14th at 15-over, senior Bryana Gregory went 81-80 and is 17th at 17-over, and Brittany Smith is tied for 22nd at 21-over after rounds of 81 and 84.

The tournament concludes with the final 18 holes on Tuesday morning. The league will announce its all-conference teams and individual awards winners following the event's conclusion.

TEAMS 1. Long Beach State, 308-313-621
2. UC Davis, 315-308-623
3. UC Irvine, 316-311-627
4. UC Riverside, 319-318-637
5. Cal Poly, 321-320-641
6. Cal State Northridge, 324-324-648

INDIVIDUALS
T1. Alice Kim, 78-72-150; Patty Chawalitmetha, UC Irvine, 76-150; Lee Lopez, Long Beach State, 74-76-150.

UC DAVIS
T4. Chelsea Stelzmiller, 77-76-153
T14. Lauren Dobashi, 79-80-159
17. Bryana Gregory, 81-80-161
T22. Brittany Smith, 81-84-165