The Briar Cliff women's golf team competed in the first round of the NAIA Women's Golf National Championships Tuesday at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. The Chargers were paced by the play of Helene Getz Bergmo who fired an 83 on the day.
 
As a team, the Blue and Gold are in 28th place with a team score of 363. British Columbia is in the lead after the first 18 holes with a 293.
 
"The course and set up was immaculate today. We are looking forward to the early start tomorrow," said head coach Ben Irlbeck. "Where the putts didn't drop today, they will tomorrow. We will make a few adjustments to accommodate course adjustments, hole locations, and tee boxes."
 
Abbigale Miller was the first Charger to tee off, beginning her round with a par on hole No. 1 that played as a 344-yard par four today.
 
Bergmo began her round with three straight pars on her way to a front-nine 40 (+5). After a par-double bogey start to begin the back nine, Bergmo rolled in a 65-foot putt to birdie the par-3 12th hole. She had a 43 on the back nine for a total score of 83 (+12) and is tied for 100th individually.
 
Frankie Valencia shot a 90 (+19) on the day and went 43-47 on the front and back nine. She totaled five pars on the round and is tied for 138th. Abbigale Miller improved by eight strokes after making the turn to the back nine and fired a 91 on the day. Miller totaled five pars and had one birdie on the 140-yard par-3 16th hole.
 
Kelly Baade and Grace Johanson had matching 99s in round one. Baade improved by two strokes after making the turn and tallied five pars. Johanson made four pars and birdied hole No. 16.
 
"All in all, we need to be more precise on target lines, swing with a little more conviction, and play with more overall confidence," said Irlbeck. "There was no excuse for shooting 30 strokes over our average. The players know this and will respond well tomorrow."
 
The Chargers will return to TPC Deere Run tomorrow morning for round two on the NAIA National Championship. Briar Cliff first tee time will be at 7:50 a.m. on hole No. 10.

Individual Results
T-100   Helene Getz Bergmo   83 (40, 43)
T-138   Frankie Valencia          90 (43, 47)
T-141   Abbigale Miller           91 (49, 42)
T-152   Kelly Baade                 99 (50, 49)
T-152   Grace Johanson          99 (44, 55)