SANTA ROSA—The Valley of the Moon Club proved a challenge for the Chico State women's golf team during Monday's first round play at the Sonoma State Fall Invitational, but one Wildcat, Taylor Stewart, found the Santa Rosa course very much to her liking. Stewart ended the day squarely in the mix for medalist honors, while the 'Cats combined for an 18-hole total of 51-over par 339 to conclude the tournament's opening 18 holes in eighth place.
Stewart ended the first day of the Sonoma State Fall Invitational on fire, shooting 2-under par on the back nine of the Valley of the Moon's 6,063-yard layout to finish the round just three strokes off the lead at 3-over 75. Stewart scored an eagle on the par-5 10th hole and birdied the par-3 16th on her way to the clubhouse, earning a share of third place on the individual leader board.
Trinity Hernandez collected a pair of birdies on the tournament's opening 18 and finished Monday's round with a 10-over par 82, good for a share of 28th place.
Kelly More notched her second birdie of the season Monday while shooting an opening round 85 to reach the tournament's midway point in a tie for 39th place.
Alison Oliveira also carded a birdie while shooting a first round 97, wrapping up the day tied for 45th place. Brooke Pelletier is 46th overall after shooting a 102 Monday.
The first round of the Sonoma State Fall Invitational saw a mere six strokes separating the first and fifth place teams. Point Loma and Dominican finished the day tied for the top spot at 23-over par 311, with Cal State LA just a stroke back in third place at +24 312. Western New Mexico (27-over 315) and Colorado State-Pueblo (317) rounded out the top five.
Claire Shubin of Dominican is the top individual player through the first 18 holes after shooting an even par 72 on Monday.
The final round of the Sonoma State Fall Invitational gets underway Tuesday with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. Fans can follow the results online via Live Stats; the link is available on the Chico State website home page and the women's golf schedule page.
