Whaley and Ribbins Lead QU Women's Golf On First Day Of Lonnie Barton Invitational

Monday, March 9

LPGA International - Daytona Beach, Florida

Quinnipiac University

Lonnie Barton Invitational

Whaley and Ribbins Lead QU Women's Golf On First Day Of Lonnie Barton Invitational

3/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – The Quinnipiac University women's golf team completed the first day of the Lonnie Barton Invitational at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida in 11^th place out of 14 teams at the Bobcats' season-opening event.

Jenn Whaley (Farmington, Connecticut) and Emily Ribbins (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) both shot 81 for a tie of 25^th place out of 79 competing golfers. Nicole Scola (Westerly, Massachusetts) was a stroke behind her team leaders with an 82 while Estefania Morales (Caracas, Venezuela) finished with an 87 and Alexa Gentile (Avon, Connecticut) completed the first day with an 89.

"For the most part, I was pretty pleased with today," head coach John O'Connor said. "To have Jen [Whaley] and Emily [Ribbins] shoot 81's is real special, considering we've been shooting in the gym, and haven't had a chance to putt much. Our practice time yesterday was really our first time that we've been able to get outside, to that's real special."

1. St. John's	302	+14
2. Albany	317	+29
3. LIU Brooklyn	319	+31
T4. Saint Francis (Pa.)	320	+32
Bucknell	320	+32
6. Siena	321	+33
T7. Lehigh	324	+36
Sacred Heart	324	+36
9. Wagner	325	+37
10. Monmouth	330	+42
11. Quinnipiac	331	+43
12. Fairfield	337	+49
13. Delaware State	344	+56
14. Central Connecticut State	347	+59

St. John's led the 14-team field with a (302), followed by Albany at (317), LIU Brooklyn (319), Saint Francis (Pa.) and Bucknell (320), Siena (321), Lehigh and Sacred Heart (324), Wagner (325) and Monmouth (330) landing in front of Quinnipiac (331). Fairfield (337), Delaware State (344) and Central Connecticut State (347) rounded out the field.

"Nicole Scola struggled a little," O'Connor said. "And the same with Estefania and Alexa, but I see a lot of good signs. I see a lot of good swings, the putting strokes look good and I'm encouraged by their attitude. I'm confident that by the end of this week our games will be much better. They work hard and when they're not on the golf course, they're on the driving range or putting green. They're working hard this week and I'm encouraged for this season."

The Bobcats resume play at the Lonnie Barton Invitational on Tuesday, Mar. 10 before a tri-match against Delaware State and Fairfield at Victoria Hills Golf Course in Deland, Florida on Mar. 12-13.