KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan golf team sits in second place after the opening round of the 2023 Mid-American Conference Championship at Kalamazoo Country Club on Friday.
The host Broncos combined to shoot a 303 (+15), and sit one shot ahead of Ball State and Central Michigan, two shots ahead of Northern Illinois, four shots ahead of Akron and seven ahead of Toledo. Kent State leads the tournament after shooting at 291 (+3).
Freshman Megha Vallahbaneni and senior Haley Barclay paced WMU after both shot a 74 (+2). The two are in a five-way tie for seventh place. Bowling Green's Kayla Davis leads at 70 (-2), followed by Central Michigan's Casilda Allendesalazar and KSU's Noramol Nuchsila at 71 (-1). Three golfers are tied at 73 (+1). Vallahbaneni and Barclay recorded six birdies on the day, second-most in the field.
Graduate student Alissa Fish was WMU's third finisher, shooting a 77 (+5) and sitting in a five-way tie for 22nd. Natalie Samdal finished just one stroke behind her, with freshman Jenna Hayes shooting an 81 (+9) to round out the Broncos.
Western Michigan is set to tee off beginning at 12 p.m. on Saturday. Follow all the action live at www.GOLFSTAT.com.
