Women's golf team opens Region VIII Tournament with solid round

The Eastern Florida State College women's golf team shot a 313 in the first round of the Region VIII Tournament Saturday evening at Duran Golf Club.

The Titans are in third place heading into the final round and are nine strokes behind Daytona State College. Valeria Fort is in 10^th place overall with a 76 while sophomore Elise Boccabella is in 11^th with a 76. Kira Shellman is tied for 12^th with a 79, Gabrielle Fernandez shot 81 and Olivia Timpy is in 18^th overall.

"Encouraged. We came home from Georgia and we struggled up there, so it is nice to come home, sleep in your own bed and play a course you are familiar with. We had a little more balance in the scores," Eastern Florida State College women's golf coach Jamie Howell said. "Terrific job by Valeria, Elise and great job by Kira shooting her best round of the spring. Gabby has done nothing but get better all year and hopefully Olivia can bounce back tomorrow. If we can play well, at the very least maybe make someone think a little bit but we have to play well."

Seminole State College is leading the event after shooting a 2-under 286 in the first round. Alex Giles leads the way after shooting a 3-under 69 while the trio of Minori Nagano, Ranida Inpan and Mary Ma each shot 1-under 71.

The final round is Sunday at 1 p.m. at Duran Golf Club.

"I would like for them to just embrace the day, come out and play golf and like it," Howell said. "My fear is they will try too hard and force the issue. Today was a good day to play, we shot 313 and we could have done better by just taking care of a little business."