Women's Golf split-squad leads Bluffton Beaver Classic after first round

By Tim Glon

BLUFFTON — An Ohio Northern split squad put four golfers in the top six in the first round of the Bluffton Beaver Classic women's golf tournament on Saturday at the Bluffton Golf Club.

The Polar Bears (24-4 overall) hold a commanding 35-stroke first round lead with a 323. Bluffton is second with a 358, Lourdes is third with a 362 and Cleary (Mich.) and Defiance are tied for fourth with 367s.

Sophomore Grace Honigford (West Chester/Lakota East), freshman Amelia Burger (Centerville) and sophomore Isabella Orofino (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) hold down the top three spots after 18 holes with a 72, 80 and 82, respectively, out of 46 golfers.

Sophomore Rylie Smith (Cambridge/Buckeye Trail) is tied for sixth with an 89 and junior Olivia Galigher (Bolivar/Tuscarawas) is tied for 30th with a 98.

The Polar Bears will conclude play in the 36-hole Bluffton Beaver Classic on Sunday at 10 am.

Team Standings

1. Ohio Northern 323, 2. Bluffton 358, 3. Lourdes 362, t4. Cleary (Mich.) 367, t4. Defiance 367, 6. Manchester (Ind.) 376, 7. Earlham (Ind.) 398, 8. Bluffton "B" 409, 9. Anderson (Ind.) 423.

Top 5 Individuals

1. Grace Honigford (ONU) 72, 2. Amelia Burger (ONU) 80, 3. Isabella Orofino (ONU) 82, 4. Olivia Root (Cleary) 86, 5. Jordan Bucher (Lourdes) 88.

Ohio Northern Individual Results

1. Grace Honigford 72, 2. Amelia Burger 80, 3. Isabella Orofino 82, t6. Rylie Smith 89, t30. Olivia Galigher 98.

Other Ohio Northern Individual Results

20. Madison Taylor 93, t21. Jessica Tubbs 94, t43. Trinity Wobler 116.