FGCU W. Golf: Johnie Imes Invitational Day One Recap

Led by a pair of two-under 70 performances from freshman Laura Edmonds and senior Madeline Marck-Sherk, the FGCU women's golf team shot a program-low 286 (-2) on Monday to sit second among 16 teams through the first of three rounds at the Johnie Imes Invitational in Columbia, Missouri, hosted by Missouri.

"I am extremely proud of the way we started out today," FGCU head coach Sarah Trew said. "We talked about the importance of starting out with a good round and putting ourselves in a good spot, and that is exactly what we did. Everyone across the board played solid, and we can take that confidence into round two. I think if we can focus on riding this momentum and finish the round strong tomorrow, we will be in a good spot."

The Eagles are just four strokes back of first-place and host Missouri and are positioned one stroke ahead of third-place FIU. The outing gave FGCU the best back-to-back rounds in program history after the Eagles shot then-record 289 in the final round of the Lady Paladin Invitational on Sept. 23.

Edmonds and Marck-Sherk each sit in a tie for fourth place individually. The duo combined for six birdies and just two bogeys. For Edmonds, the score is a new career-low as she is participating in her second career tournament.

Marck-Sherk, meanwhile, recorded her second consecutive career-low 70 round. It's the fifth time she's went that low in her career, and it was her lowest career opening round score. This is the first time she's done it twice in one season.

Senior Kelsy Holbert sank three straight birdies on the third, fourth and fifth holes and was tied with Edmonds for a team-low 34 (-2) on the front nine before settling for an even-par 72. She currently resides in a tie for 13th place, while sophomore Natalia Nassar tied for 25th following a 74 (+2)

Junior Kate Williamson suffered back-to-back triple bogeys on the 10th and 11th holes, but responded with a team-high five birdies, including three over the final six holes.

Individual Standings
T-4. Laura Edmonds – 70 (-2)
T-4. Madeline Marck-Sherk – 70 (-2)
T-13. Kelsy Holbert – 72 (E)
T-25. Natalia Nassar – 74 (+2)
T-43. Kate Williamson – 77 (+5)

Team Standings (# - GolfStat ranking as of June 7)
1. #52 Missouri – 282 (-6)
2. #128 FGCU – 286 (-2)
3. #130 Florida International – 287 (-1)
4. #78 Mercer – 290 (+2)
5. #163 Missouri State – 291 (+3)
6. #81 Fresno State – 292 (+4)
7. #203 Illinois State – 297 (+9)
8. #132 Wichita State – 298 (+10)
9. #149 Arkansas State – 300 (+12)
T-10. #183 University of Arkansas Little Rock – 306 (+18)
T-10. #135 Northern Illinois – 306 (+18)
T-10. #193 UMKC – 306 (+18)
13. #145 Bradley – 307 (+19)