CALERA, AL – The Northwest Mississippi Community College women's golf team took on a challenge for their first tournament of the season, heading to Alabama for the Full Moon BBQ Invitational, hosted by the NCAA Division II University of Montevallo, entering the field as the only two-year school out of the eight competing. After the first 36 holes, the Rangers are only 16 strokes back of a top-five spot, and 25 strokes back of the top half of the field.
The Rangers only brought their freshman due to some injury issues they are fighting through in the early season, but saw the new faces on the team perform well, with two sitting in the top-25 and another two in the hunt for finishes in the top half of the field.
The best day was had by Elizabeth Kilpatrick, who paired a six-over in her first round, which included 12 pars and a birdie, with a 79 on her second 18, finishing the back nine at just two-over and was only hurt by a run of three bogeys and a double on the fourth through the seventh holes.
Elsa Lomas Castillo was just behind her, finishing at 19-over on the day after carding an eight-over after 18 holes. She struggled with consistency in her second round, finishing with three birdies, but also carding five double bogeys for an 11-over 82. She would close out the day in a tie for 25th.
Both Rylee Summerlin and Graysa Enders finished within shouting distance of each other, with Summerlin ending the day in 33rd while Enders wrapped it up in a tie for 35th.
Summerlin's day was highlighted by her eight-over second round, which was keyed by a pair of late birdies on the 4th and 5th holes, helping her finish the front nine at one-over. She was only hampered by a rough front nine on the first day, when she went nine-over, with five bogeys and two doubles.
Enders was more consistent on her way to finishing at 25-over after her first two rounds, posting an 11-over 82 on the opening 18 before wrapping up with an 85 in her second.
Northwest's team effort was capped by Avery Baker, who, like many on her team, showed improvement from the first to the second round. After a 92 to kick off the day, Baker rebounded to post a 90 in her second 18.
The Rangers will be back in action on Wednesday for their final 18 holes of the tournament. Keep up with the Ranger women's golf team at nwccrangers.com or by following along with Northwest social media accounts.
