FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2024 (Paradise Island, Bahamas) – No one would ever know that there were steady winds of 28 miles per hour from the way Purdue’s Natashia Kiel and Jasmine Kahler played Saturday in the first round of the weather-shortened White Sands Bahamas NCAA Women’s Golf Invitational at the Ocean Club Golf Course.
Kiel, a senior from New Hope, Pa., and Kahler, a sophomore from Carlsbad, Calif., were two of three golfers to survive the strong winds and post under par scores for the first round in this 10-team, 36-hole event. Kiel finished at 3-under-par 68, while Kahler was 2-under-par over the par-71, 6,003-yard course that was shortened to accommodate the windy conditions, where gusts reached 32 miles per hour.
“I’m from California, and I’ve never played in wind like this before,” said Kahler, who made six birdies to go along with an opening double bogey and two bogeys. “I’m just trying not to get blown away.”
No one else in the 62-plyer field made more than four birdies, and that was Kiel, who made four birdies to go along with one bogey. “Honestly, there is nothing I can do except try to hit smart shots that I know I can hit in this wind,” said Kiel.
“We worked for 10 straight days on hitting low knock-down shots at home to prepare for this week,” said Purdue head coach Zack Byrd. “Maybe I’m surprised at how well we putted, but not by how well we played. This team really wants to finish the fall season on a good note.”
The other sub-par total belonged to Baylor’s Sera Hasegawa, a petite 5’2” senior from Japan, who carded a 1-under-par 70. They were the only three under par on the day. The next lowest total was 2 over, with six golfers finishing with that number.
Purdue posted a team score of 7-over 291 in this play five-count four format, giving the Boilermakers a five-stroke lead over Baylor and seven over favored Texas A&M. Purdue also counted with Samantha Brown of Westfield, Ind., who had a 4-over 75, and Mom Sugiyama of Australia, who had a 79. Play will conclude on Sunday.
Other teams in place order are Missouri (+18), Kansas (+18) and Georgia (+20), followed by Xavier, Abilene Christian, College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina.
The Ocean Club Golf Course was designed by past major champion Tom Weiskopf. Texas, Campbell, Lipscomb and Kansas State are past winners of the women’s competition. This is the fifth year of the event, which was begun in 2019.
For more coverage of the 2024 White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, follow @WhiteSandsBah on social media and use the following hashtags: #WhiteSandsBahamas and #WhiteSandsNCAA or visit WhiteSandsBahamas.com
TEAM SCORING
1. Purdue, +7, 291
2. Baylor, +12, 296
3. Texas A&M, +14, 298
T4. Missouri, +18, 302
T4. Kansas, +18, 302
6. Georgia, +22, 306
7. Xavier, +23, 307
8. Abilene Christian, +25, 309
T9. Coastal Carolina, +31, 315
T9. College of Charleston, +31, 315
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
1. Natashia Kiel, Purdue, 68, -3
2. Jasmine Kahler, Purdue, 69, -2
3. Sere Hasegawa, Baylor, 70, -1
T4. Lauren Nguyen, Texas A&M, 73, +2
T4. Madison Reemsnyder, Xavier, 73, +2
T4. Fleur van Beek, Missouri, 73, +2
T4. Ryann Honea, Abilene Christian, 73, +2
###
ABOUT THE BAHAMAS
With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly-away escape that transports travelers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram to see why “It’s Better in The Bahamas.”
ABOUT OCEAN CLUB GOLF COURSE
Atlantis Paradise Island’s Ocean Club Golf Course offers a challenging and beautiful course for golfers desiring championship play. Masterfully conceived, the Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole, par 72 championship course stretches over 7,100 yards on Atlantis’ peninsula. The course has hosted iconic sporting events such as the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI), the Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament and the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. For more information about Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and the Ocean Club please visit www.atlantisbahamas.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational
Contact: Mike Harmon
[email protected]
BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS & AVIATION CONTACT:
Anita Johnson-Patty
[email protected]
ATLANTIS CONTACT:
Katie Longley
Atlantis Paradise Island
242-376-1034
[email protected]
