May 8, 2003

CLEMMONS, N.C. - The Wake Forest women's golf team opened the first round of the NCAA East Regional with a 23-over par 307 on Thursday. The Demon Deacons are currently in a tie for 15th place and trail the first round leader Duke by 19-strokes.

The NCAA East Regional is contested at Salem Glen Country Club in Clemmons, N.C. The 54-hole event began Thursday and ends Saturday, and the course measures 6,116 yards and par is 71. The top eight teams and two individuals advance to the NCAA Championship in West Lafayette, Ind., May 21-24.

Sophomore Ashley Hoagland led the Deacons with a four-over par 75. Senior Nuria Clau fired a first round 76, five-over par. Joining Clau is junior Deborah Means who also shot a five-over 76 on Thursday. Senior Maria Beautell added an 80, nine-over par for the Deacons. Sophomore Christine Hallstrom shot a 13-over par 84 for WFU.

South Carolina's Kristy McPherson and Furman's Brandi Jackson lead all individuals after firing three-under par 68 on Thursday. North Carolina's Meaghan Francella shot a two-under par 69 and is in third place.

The Duke Blue Devils lead all teams after a four-over par 288. Florida State is second, two strokes behind with a six-over 290. Georgia is third with a 10-over 294.

Second round play will begin Friday morning at 7:30 a.m., and the Deacons will tee off on hole number 10 at 11:40 a.m.

Results can be found daily at wakeforestsports.com and live stats can be found at golfstat.com.