GOODYEAR, Ariz.—The Chico State women's golf team officially lifted the lid on the 2022–23 season Monday at the Ruidoso Junior Golf Association (RJGA) Shootout at Estrella, and while the opening round presented some challenges for the Wildcats, the play of two returners—Trinity Hernandez and Taylor Stewart—provided plenty of positivity as the 'Cats finished the day in 13th place with a collective 32-over par 320.
Hernandez posted the best single-round score of her Wildcat career Monday, shooting a 1-over par 73 at the Golf Club of Estrella to earn a share of ninth place midway through the 36-hole tournament. Hernandez turned in an extremely consistent round, collecting 17 pars while only bogeying the 10th hole.
Stewart also turned in an outstanding opening round, completing the RJGA Shootout at Estrella's first 18 holes at 3-over par 75, putting her in a nine-way tie for 21st place. The junior got off to a hot start, carding a 1-under through the first nine holes on the way to posting the 21st sub-80 round of her Chico State career.
Freshman Alison Oliveira made her Wildcats debut Monday, firing an 85 to finish first round action with a share of 74th place. Kelly More registered an opening round 87 to conclude the day in 79th place, while Chico native Brooke Pelletier began her 'Cats career by recording a first round score of 89, tying for 82nd place overall.
Midway through the tournament, only three strokes separate the top four teams at the top of the leader board. Arkansas-Fort Smith leads the RJGA Shootout at Estrella's 15-team field with a 3-over par 291, with Cal State San Marcos in second place at +4 292. The University of Texas Permian Basin is third at 5-over 293, while University of Texas at Tyler sits in fourth pace with a +6 294. Colorado State-Pueblo rounds out the top five with an opening round score of 9-over 297.
Sydney Williams of Arkansas-Fort Smith and Angie Taguines of University of Texas Permian Basin are tied atop the individual leader board, leading the 84-player field at 3-under par 69.
The RJGA Shootout at Estrella wraps up Tuesday with the tournament's final 18 holes. Fans can keep up with the results online with Live Stats. The link is accessible on the Wildcat Athletics home page and the women's golf schedule page.
