By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

ATHENS, Ga. – The Tennessee Tech women's golf team opened its spring campaign with a unique event Saturday afternoon, completing play at the Lady Bulldog Invitational, hosted by Georgia at UGA Golf Course in Athens, Ga. 

An individual competition across the board, all eight Golden Eagles took part in the earliest spring action for the purple and gold in more than 15 years. Originally scheduled for two rounds in the single-day tournament, the opening round was cancelled due to frigid temperatures and frost.

A total of 39 golfers across 10 teams participated in the event, with Wake Forest's Chloe Kovelesky taking medalist honors with a 5-under 67.

For the Golden Eagles, it was freshman Kailey Lane leading the effort with a 3-over 75. The rookie earned a pair of birdies to go along with 11 pars. One shot back of her teammate, junior Kaydie Rhodes tied for 14th overall behind a 4-over 76 with two birdies of her own.

Cookeville native Lexus Julian was next on the leaderboard for the purple and gold, tallying a 79 with one birdie to tie for 24th. Tying for 29th with a score of 80 was Sydney Branson, producing a birdie of her own.

Senior Reagan Stuke and sophomore Chloe Griffith put forth matching scores of 83, with Stuke racking up a birdie. Griffith piled up 10 pars for her effort. 

Making her collegiate debut with a score of 86 was Palmer Sykes. The Knoxville native carded her first career birdie in the round as well. Sophomore Lydia Baker rounded out the Golden Eagle group, finishing the day with a birdie and a final of 87.

Tech will get back after it with traditional competition Mar. 3-4 at the Huntsville.org Intercollegiate. The two-day event, hosted by Samford, will take place on the Highlands Course at Hampton Cove, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

File photo by Michael Wade