Women's Golf Tied for Fourth at SEC Champ.

Friday, April 19

Athens, GA

12:00 AM

Florida Gators

SEC Championship

Women's Golf Tied for Fourth at SEC Champ.

Friday, April 19, 2002 | Women's Golf

University of Florida freshman Whitney Code (Tampa, Fla.) shot an opening-round 70 to lead the Gators to a tie for fourth place Friday with a 298 after round one of the 2002 Southeastern Conference Women's Golf Championships in Athens, Ga.

"I think every single player thinks we left a lot out there, and they're anxious to get back out there tomorrow," said Florida Head Coach Jill Briles-Hinton. "To shoot a 298 and feel like you left something out there - we've put ourselves in a good position. Tomorrow we need move."

Code's two-under 70, which ties her for fifth individually, is the lowest opening-round score in her career and the lowest opening round for any Gator this season. The highlight of Code's round was her near double-eagle on the par-five fifth hole. Her second shot rolled within eight feet of the cup, setting up the eagle.

"Whitney has done a tremendous job," said Briles-Hinton. "I'd like to see her out three great rounds together, and she's very capable of that. She put herself in great position today to do just that."

Sophomore Amanda Dick (Clearwater, Fla.) shot a 76 to open SEC Championship play. Dick led the Gators in last year's Championships with her eighth-place finish. Freshman Andrea Vander Lende (Longwood, Fla.) also shot 76 to open the tournament. Juniors Brittany Straza (Ft. Myers, Fla.) and Jeanne Cho (Boulogne, France) rounded out the scoring for Florida, both shooting 76. All four are tied for 22nd.

Florida will tee off Saturday beginning at 10:10 a.m. The Championship continues through Sunday.

Team Scores

1. Auburn 280

2. South Carolina 289

3. Tennessee 295

T4. Florida 298

T4. Georgia 298

6. Vanderbilt 300

7. LSU 303

8. Alabama 305

9. Mississippi 310

10. Kentucky 312