New year, new faces, same results.
The defending national champion women's golf team returned to the links for the first time yesterday without missing a beat, jumping out to an early advantage after the first round of the NCAA Fall Preview in Sun River, Ore.
Paced by senior Amie Lehman and junior Kalen Anderson's even-par 72s, the Blue Devils shot a 10-over-par 294 as a team, two strokes ahead of second-place Southern Cal.
"They were just extremely patient; the team sets a certain standard, but we were patient," coach Dan Brooks said. "Amie Lehman has had a model attitude out there. She waits for the good things, keeps her chin up. Good things happen to you when you keep your chin up."
The Fall Preview is being played at the Crosswater Golf Club, the same course that will host the NCAA Championships in May. The competition is fierce as the tournament field boasts each of the nation's top 10 teams along with several other top-25 programs.
In last year's Fall Preview in Tulsa, Okla., the Blue Devils won by two strokes, then eight months later were crowned NCAA champions.
The Crosswater course is an extremely long par 72, stretching over 6,500 yards. A typical LPGA course is about 6,200 yards long, so Brooks entered the tournament hoping for a team score under 300.
"We shot 294 on a really tough golf course," Brooks said. "My feeling was if anyone went under 300 today, they would be in good shape. We're in a good position."
Rounding out Duke's lineup were sophomore sensations Beth Bauer and Candy Hannemann-who each fired a 75-and freshman Maria Garcia-Estrada, who finished with a 76.
Both Lehman and Garcia are new to the Blue Devils starting lineup this year, replacing the void left by Jenny Chuasiriporn and Filippa Hansson. Both newcomers looked impressive and the fact that Anderson and Lehman outshot Bauer and Hannemann, both ranked in the top five, bodes well for Duke's season outlook.
"It's a nice feeling, knowing you've got some depth," Brooks said. "I'm most impressed by the fact that this team still knows there's a lot of work left to be done. We can go lower on this golf course."
Victor Zhao contributed to this story.
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