Tar Heel Women In 13th After First Day

Sunday, September 13

Hanahan, S.C.

All Day

North Carolina

Cougar Classic

Cloots Knocked Out Of Ladies' British Open Amateur

September 14, 2015 | Women's Golf

By: UNC Athletic Communications

HANAHAN, S.C. – The University of North Carolina women's golf team kicked off the 2015-16 season at the Powerade Cougar Classic on Sunday. The team sits in 13th at 11-over 299 heading into the second round.

“The team hit the ball well today,” head coach Jan Mann said. “Most of our lost shots came from putts missed or shots around the greens, which are rolling very fast. However, everyone had great birdie opportunities that we know will start to fall tomorrow. We are still in a good position to make a move to the top of the leaderboard.”

The women's golf team was led by junior Leslie Cloots who finished the round at 1-over-par 73. Cloots fired four birdies and five bogeys in her round. Cloots finished the back nine 1-under with two birdies and one bogey. She's tied for 25th going into the second round. Sophomore Bryana Nguyen ended the day with a 2-over 74. Nguyen had two birdies to go along with four bogeys all in the first nine holes. Nguyen finished her round with an even-par 36 on the back. She's tied for 36th among all individuals. The Tar Heels had the final three players in the starting five finish the day at 4-over par 76. Freshman Kelly Whaley, sophomore Lexi Harkins and senior Elizabeth Mallett are tied for 60th. Whaley had four bogeys, Harkins had two bogeys and a double bogey, and Mallett had two birdies to go along with six bogeys.

The Tar Heels' lone individual in the tournament, Rachel Jones, finished the day at 2-over-par. Jones had two birdies and four bogeys.

Arkansas leads the field with a commanding 6-under 282. Central Florida finished with a total team score of 288, even par. Wake Forest is just a stroke behind Central Florida in third with 289 strokes. SEC rivals, Georgia and Florida are tied for fourth at 2-over-par 290.

At the top of the player leaderboard are Taylor Tomlinson of Florida and Gaby Lopez of Arkansas at 4-under-par 68. Sierra Sims of Wake Forest and Ashley Holder of Central Florida are at 3-under-par. Arkansas' Regina Plasencia and Wisconsin's Gabby Curtis are 2-under while seven players are at 1-under after the first day.

The second round of the Powerade Cougar Classic will start tomorrow morning. The tournament is being held at Yeamans Hall, which features a par 72, 6,204-yard layout. Follow the action live on golfstat.com and keep up with the team's Twitter handle @uncwomensgolf.