Rocky Women’s Golf in 16th Place Following Wednesday’s First Round of the NAIA National Championship

| By: Brandon Stinson: Sports Information & Media Coordinator
May 20, 2026

YPSILANTI, Mich.- The Rocky Women's Golf team sits in 16th place overall following the opening round of the NAIA Women's Golf National Championships.

The Battlin' Bears posted a team score of 31-over-par 319 on Wednesday. Heading into Thursday's second round, Rocky trails the projected cut line by a mere three strokes.

Catalina Garcia led the charge, putting together a solid first round with a score of five-over-par 77. A consistent round throughout for the sophomore, as she tallied 13 pars on the day, tied for the eighth most in the field. She sits tied for 32nd place individually entering the second round.  

Grace Metcalf followed, shooting eight-over-par 80 in round one. While not a round up to the senior's usual standards, she avoided big mistakes throughout, totaling no holes of double bogey or worse. She enters the second round tied for 70th place. 

Kirsten Smith and Alivia Webinger each shot nine-over-par 81 to round out Rocky's scorers in round one. Smith bounced back after a slow start, totaling three birdies and seven pars in the final 13 holes of the day, while Webinger tallied ten holes of par on the day. Smith's three birdies tied for fourth most of any player through the first 18 holes, and both players enter round two tied for 82nd overall. 

Tyla Potgieter rounded out Rocky's competitors, shooting 13-over-par 85 in round one. 

Weather disruptions on Tuesday forced the suspension of the original opening round, which was finally completed on Wednesday. Because of the delays, the championship has been shortened to a 54-hole event, with the third and final round scheduled for Friday.

The Battlin' Bears will begin play on hole 10 on Thursday, starting at 5:30 a.m. (MT) / 7:30 a.m (ET). 

 

Related Stories

Related Videos