SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Saint Mary's golf team shot a 312 and took first place at the opening MIAA NCAA Automatic Qualifier round, which was hosted by the Belles at Elbel Park Golf Course.

 

The Belles finished one stroke ahead of second place Adrian's 313 and six strokes ahead of Hope's 318. Alma posted a team score of 346 to round out the field. 

 

Katelyn Tokarz was the medalist of the round after shooting a two-over par 74. The sophomore led the field with three birdies while adding ten pars on the day. Tokarz was even in par five and par three scoring while tying for the best par four scoring.

 

Julia Lizak tied for sixth with a 78. Lizak had a birdie and was tied for the second-most pars in the round with 11. She was one-over in both par three and par five scoring while finishing tied for fifth for the best par four scoring. Katherine Hopkins shot a 79 and finished eighth. The senior circled a birdie and added nine pars in the round. Hopkins was one-over in par five scoring and was also tied for fifth for the best par four scoring effort.

 

Isa Patacsil turned in an 81 and tied for ninth to wrap up the team score. She had a birdie and collected eight pars in the round. She also tied her teammates for the fifth-best par four scoring effort and was two-over on par five holes. Erin Bennett was the fifth golfer in the lineup and shot an 86 to tie for 17th. Bennett posted eight pars and was one-over on par three holes on the day.

 

Nani Patacsil competed as an individual and shot an 86 to also tie for 17th. She tallied five pars and was three-over on par five holes.

 

The conference's automatic qualifier will go to the team with the lowest cumulative score after three scheduled 18-hole rounds. Adrian, who claimed the regular season conference title in the fall, is set to host the final two rounds on Friday and Saturday. Friday's round is set to start at 1:00 p.m. at Tecumseh Golf Club.