Sept. 18, 2009

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Samford women's golfers Katelyn Stanier and Heather Arnold both finished the opening day of competition at the 2009 Lady Paladin Invitational among the top-20 players in the individual standings. Stanier carded a first-round score of 75 at the par 72, 6,199-yard Furman University Golf Course, while Arnold tallied a 78.

As a team, Samford turned in an opening-day mark of 322. Following the first 18 holes of play, the Bulldogs sit in a two-way tie for 12th place. The 38th Lady Paladin Invitational will resume Saturday at 7:30 a.m. (CDT).

East Tennessee State and Nova Southeastern each posted an 18-over par 306 in rainy and soggy conditions Friday to take the opening-round lead.

Laura Jansone of East Tennessee State paced her squad with a tournament-leading 1-over par 73 that included a birdie and two bogeys, while Florida International's Paula Hurtado moved into second place with a first round 74. Sandra Changkija birdied three holes to pace the defending Division II champion Nova Southeastern and grab a share of third place in the individual standings.

East Tennessee (306) and Nova Southeastern (306) were followed by Stetson (311), Kennesaw State (314) and Campbell (315).

Samford's Stanier finished day one of the Lady Paladin Invitational tied for third place in a field comprised of nearly 100 participants. The Bulldogs' senior native of Newnan, Ga., fired a 3-over par 75 on Friday. Arnold followed with a 6-over par 78, which was good for a tie for 18th place in the competition.

Fellow-senior Sara Hunt carded an 18-hole score of 82, while sophomore Sarah Butts finished with an 87. Samford's true freshman Kayla Turner rounded out the scoring with a first-round mark of 90.

Second-round play tees off at 7:30 a.m. (CDT) on Saturday with Sunday's final round scheduled for a shotgun start at 8 a.m.

Admission is free and fans are welcome to attend the 2009 Lady Paladin Invitational. Live tournament scoring will also be available via www.golfstat.com.