BREMERTON, Wash. – The UBC Thunderbirds and Oregon Tech Owls were locked in a tight battle for much of the first round at the Gail Moore Intercollegiate, before the T-Birds created some separation in the afternoon to stake themselves out to a 10-stroke lead.
All the athletes fought well through the elements at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Washington. Intermittent periods of rain and a slight chilliness in the air couldn't dampen the spirit of the golfers out on the course.
UBC was paced on the first day by Grace Bell and Jessica Ng, who are both tied for second on the individual leaderboard at one-under 71, the same as Oregon Tech's Quincy Beyrouty. The top golfer on the individual board is Cindy Koira of the Victoria Vikes, who is one stroke ahead of the competition at 70.
The Vikes as a team sit in third place with a score of 310. The Owls are 11 strokes ahead of the Canadian outfit at 299, while the Thunderbirds are in front at 289. UBC – currently ranked #1 in the NAIA – is looking to win both of the first two Cascade Conference tournaments of the season, after emerging victorious at the Bushnell Fall Invitational in September.
The middle section of the field is quite tight, with the Southern Oregon Raiders (311), Lewis-Clark State Warriors (315) and North Idaho College Cardinals (320) all within striking distance of the top three. The College of Idaho Yotes (328), Walla Walla University Wolves (333), Bushnell Beacons (340) and Corban Warriors (423) round out the field.
The Gail Moore Intercollegiate is a 36-hole tournament and will finish on Tuesday.