Sept. 27, 2010
Live Scoring and Results | Read Golfweek's Tournament Coverage
VAIL, Colo. - Demi Runas, Chelsea Stelzmiller and Alice Kim are each tied for fifth, and the UC Davis women's golf team carded the best score of the day, as the Aggies roared into the lead on Monday at the Golfweek Conference Challenge at Red Sky Golf Club in Vail, Colo.
The Aggies, ranked 17th by Golfstat, shot a 6-over 294 on Monday and are at 11-over 587 through 36 holes. They lead No. 4 Arizona by a shot, No. 19 Virginia by three, No. 19 Tulane by four and No. 24 Denver by five.
The tournament brings together representatives from 18 different conferences for a three-day, 54-hole event. UC Davis shot 293 on Sunday and was tied for fourth heading into Monday's action but got another strong day from Runas, and impressive outings from senior standouts Stelzmiller and Kim to forge into the lead.
Stelzmiller charged quickly, posting birdies on the second and third holes to go two under. She parred all but two of the remaining holes, finishing with an even round to jump 12 spots into fifth at 1-over 145.
Kim picked up a 72 also but battled back after going two over early in her round. However, birdies on the par-5, 5th and the par-3, 7th brought her back to even while a birdie on the 18th countered a bogey on her back nine.
Runas, who shot a 71 on Sunday, is also tied for fifth at 145 after her round of 74 on Monday. She had four bogeys and two birdies, the second of which leveled her scorecard before she gave back two shots at the end of her round.
The Aggie trio is six shots off the pace being set by Therese Koelbaek of UNLV who is at 5-under 139 after posting a 70 in the second round.
UC Davis sophomore Belen Hernandez had three birdies over her first five holes - and four for the round - but had six bogeys and a double-bogey to come in with a 76 which still puts her near the top in a tie for 27th at 7-over 152. Sophomore Amy Simanton was seven over coming in but birdied two of her final three holes for a 77. She's tied for 38th at 8-over.
The Aggies are looking for the first win of the season as they face a tough field for the second straight week. They were fourth last week at New Mexico.
The shotgun final round starts at 8 a.m. (Pacific) on Tuesday.
GOLFWEEK CONFERENCE CHALLENGE
Vail, Colo.
Red Sky Golf Club
Par 72, 6,247 yards
36 of 54 holes
TEAMS
1. UC DAVIS, 293-294-587
2. Arizona, 292-296-588
3. Virginia, 287-303-590
4. Tulane, 287-301-304-591
5. Denver, 296-296-592
6. UNLV, 294-299-593
7. Tennessee, 304-299-603
8. Minnesota, 298-306-604
9. Pepperdine, 297-308-605
10. San Jose State, 302-310-612
11. Chattanooga, 303-310-613
12. Texas A&M, 307-314-621
13. Harvard, 310-314-624
14. Missouri State, 314-314-628
15. Campbell, 317-320-637
16. Coastal Carolina, 322-316-638
17. Sacramento State, 325-319-644
18. Central Arkansas, 329-319-648
INDIVIDUALS
1. Therese Koelbaek, UNLV, 69-70-139
UC DAVIS
T5. Demi Runas, 71-74-145
T5. Chelsea Stelzmiller, 73-72-145
T5. Alice Kim, 73-72-145
T27. Belen Hernandez, 7676-152
T38. Amy Simanton, 76-77-153
