The Chico State women’s golf team began the defense of their Western New Mexico Fall Intercollegiate title today in Avondale, Arizona. at the Coldwater Golf Club with a first round score of 305 (+17). That score put them in ninth place, 12 strokes off the lead set by St. Mary’s. Four of the five Wildcat golfers finished with rounds in the 70s, led by Dani O’Keefe, who tied her low collegiate round with a one-over 73.

Last year the Wildcats claimed the title after making up a 19-stroke deficit in the final round .

O’Keefe who played her final 12 hole in one-under stands T10, seven shots behind Leina Kim of Colorado State-Pueblo, who carded the low individual round of the day with a six-under par 66 and takes a two-shot lead into the final round.

Abby McGrew finished Monday’s opening round with her low score of the season, four-over par 76 to finish the first round T30. Ileana MacDonald, making just her second career collegiate start, came out with a fast start by birding two of the first three holes and carding an even par 36 on the front nine before settling for a five-over 77.

Spencer Downey came into the clubhouse with a seven-over par 79, good for tied for 59th. Bianca Armanini rounded out the Chico State Squad with a 16-over 88 and sits in 82nd place heading into Tuesday’s final round.