By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
PAWLEY'S ISLAND, S.C. – The Tennessee Tech women's golf team finished off the first round of the 2022-23 season Sunday afternoon, completing the first 18 holes of action at the Golfweek Fall Challenge at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club.
The Golden Eagles wrapped up the day with a 299 after the first of three rounds, competing in a field of 20 teams overall in Pawley's Island, S.C. Campbell, Austin Peay, and Lipscomb all finished the day tied for first with matching scores of 279. The Govs Erica Scutt and USC Upstate's Praew Nontarux tied for the individual lead with 7-under 64s.
For the purple and gold, it was senior Gittle Sciolis leading the way with a 1-over 72, tying for 21st overall in a field of 104 golfers. She used a trio of birdies to lead off the event, shooting a remarkable 2-under on the back nine alone with seven pars and two birdies.
Fellow senior Elisabeth Toennessen finished right behind her teammate, carding a 3-over 74 after racking up three birdies. She tied for 42nd overall in the field. Tying for 54th overall were junior Ainsley Simms and rookie Kaitlyn Rand. Simms delivered a 4-over 75 with 12 pars. Making her collegiate debut while competing as an individual, Rand secured a pair of birdies while also turning in a 75.
Next among the Golden Eagle participants was senior Katrine Toennessen, producing a 78 to tie for 78th. She picked up her first birdie of the season on the back nine. Senior Makenzie Morton rounded out the Tech lineup, tying for 97th with an 81.
The second round of the Golfweek Fall Challenge will begin at 7:10 a.m. CT for the purple and gold as part of a shotgun start.
| Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
| T-1. | Campbell | 279 | -5 | |||
| T-1. | Austin Peay | 279 | -5 | |||
| T-1. | Lipscomb | 279 | -5 | |||
| 4. | UNCW | 286 | +2 | |||
| 5. | USC Upstate | 288 | +4 | |||
| 16. | Tennessee Tech | 299 | +15 | |||
| Leaderboard (104 Golfers) | ||||||
| T-1. | Erica Scutt (Austin Peay) | 64 | -7 | |||
| T-1. | Praew Nontarux (USC Upstate) | 64 | -7 | |||
| T-21. | Gittle Sciolis | 72 | +1 | |||
| T-42. | Elisabeth Toennessen | 74 | +3 | |||
| T-54. | Ainsley Simms | 75 | +4 | |||
| T-54. | Kaitlyn Rand* | 75 | +4 | |||
| T-78. | Katrine Toennessen | 78 | +7 | |||
| T-97. | Makenzie Morton | 81 | +10 | |||
| *competed as an individual | ||||||
File photo by Emily Armstrong