Husky women golfers struggle at NCAA championships

Published 12:01 am Thursday, May 19, 2011

BRYAN, Texas — University of Washington senior Anya Alvarez shot a 2-over-par 74 to lead the Huskies in Wednesday’s first round of the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship at the Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Texas on Wednesday.

The Huskies shot a 24-over 312 at the home course of Texas A&M and are 22nd out of 24 teams after the first day. Alvarez’s effort tied her 31st.

Four other Huskies also are competing, including senior Karinn Dickinson, a Kamiak High alum, who shot an 80 and is tied for 104th. The Huskies’ Sadena Parks also shot an 80; Kelli Bowers shot a 78, putting her in a tie for 79th; and A Ram Choi shot an 87, putting her at 126th.

UCLA, the nation’s second-ranked team, leads the field at one-over-par. They have a two-stroke lead over Virginia. Nine players shot under par in the first round, led by Virginia’s Brittany Altmore at 3-under.

“We have to be a lot tougher mentally,” UW coach Mary Lou Mulflur said. “In the practice round, we hit the ball fantastic. So, it’s not our ball-striking, it’s not our physical tools. … We just have to be a lot tougher mentally.”