Golf seasons open with record-breaking rounds

VENTURA, Calif. – There was no rust or cobwebs to dust off as both Chapman University golf teams opened up the 2017-18 season with their best rounds ever. Both teams used their first round of the year to set new program records at the opening round of the CA State Intercollegiate at Olivas Links.

The men's team set a new school record with the Panthers' first-ever round in program history below par. The Panthers' shot 285 as a team to finish 3-under par for the first round and in first place. The women's team fired a season-opening 306 (+18) to open the second season in program history with the best round in its short history and currently holds second place in the tournament.

Freshman Avery Keating made his Chapman debut with a two-under 70 while junior Dallas Haun also finishing under par with a 71 (-1). Junior captain Griffin Tso and freshman Brody Hval each carded a 72 to finish even par.

All-SCIAC returner Emily Lewis picked up right where she left off in the inaugural season and is in second place individually after a personal-best and program-best round of even par. Sophomore Kristy Harada was just 2-over with a 74 to open the season. A pair of newcomers, freshman Lauren Settle and junior transfer Marisa Bhanubandh, helped the Panthers stay near the top of the leaderboard with both shooting 8-over 80.

The Chapman men's team holds a narrow one-shot lead at the midway point of the tournament with the top-7 seven teams within eight strokes of the Panthers. The women's team is 14 strokes back of George Fox for the lead and six strokes up on Cal Lutheran. Both teams conclude with a single round tomorrow.