NIACC's Tusler shoots opening round 92

BRASELTON, Ga. - NIACC freshman Courtney Tusler shot an opening-round 47-45 - 92 at the NJCAA Division I national golf tournament at the Chateau Elan Golf Club Monday.

The opening round 92 at the national tournament is the lowest for a Lady Trojan golfer since Alexandria Eckenrod shot an 87 and Sarah Steinauer shot an 85 in 2013 at the Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz.

Also for the Lady Trojans Monday, Brooke Maasch shot a 57-58 - 115.

The final three rounds will be played Tuesday-Thursday.

"I thought Courtney played very well (Monday)," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "She stumbled out of the gates early.

"She really did a great job of battling to get herself back in the round and then took a couple of double bogeys at the end."

Frenz said that Tusler's trouble came with her approach shots and chipping onto the green.

"She was hitting her driver very well and her putting was solid," he said.

Frenz said Maasch's driver was solid for most of the day.

"But after that things went a little sideways for her," the coach said, "and that's not normal.

"Her attitude was fantastic throughout the round and I think that will propel her into much better scoring opportunities the rest of the week."

Frenz said the host course for the national tournament is in great shape.

"This is a beautiful golf course for the women to be playing this week," Frenz said. "The weather couldn't be better. It's maybe a little hot but after what we've been playing in all spring, we'll take it."