GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The Colorado Mesa women's golf team finished an outstanding first round of the RJGA Palm Valley Classic on Friday (Mar. 31) afternoon and are in the hunt for the title at the 23-team tournament.
 
The Mavericks shot one of their best rounds in program history as they came into the clubhouse with a 9-over, 297 to sit in third place on the team leaderboard. They are currently in front of eight teams ranked in the GolfStat top-50 national rankings. They trail second place No. 8 West Texas A&M by just two strokes.
 
No. 40 Colorado Christian leads the tournament with a 1-over, 289 in their opening round.
 
Senior Elly Walters had a solid day on the course and was the Mavericks top finisher in round one as she finished with an even-par, 72 to sit in a tie for fifth on the individual leaderboard one stroke back of the leaders. She finished with four birdies a triple and a bogey in the round.
 
The Rifle native started on No. 10 and opened with a birdie before surrendering her triple three holes later but was able to rebound with three birdies in her final nine holes.
 
Cassidy Phelan finished at 2-over, 74 and Sadie Kelley was just one stroke behind her in the round.
 
Northwest Nazarene's Elle McCord, Northeastern State's Yasmin Hang, and the Colorado Christian duo of Emily Folks and Mary Beth Doss lead the individual leaderboard as they all shot a 1-under, 71.
 
The Mavericks will play their second and final round tomorrow at tee times that are yet to be determined.