Dernick leads Cougars in Season Opener

Corvallis, Ore.--University of Texas transfer Lisa Dernick paced BYU's women's golf team to a first-round 317 as they opened their fall season at the Shanico Invitational at Trysting Tree Golf Club.

Dernick, a junior, shot a first-round 75 while teammate Adrianne Gibby shot a 78 to lead BYU to a seventh-place start.

"Lisa (Dernick) and Adrianne (Gibby) played steady the whole day for us," said BYU assistant coach Sue Nyhus. "They did some great things on the course this first round that we can build upon."

The Cougars, who return all but one of their top six golfers from last year, welcomed several talented newcomers including Dernick, returned missionary MerriLyn Gibbs and Salt Lake native Nicole Newren. The Cougars also return Mountain West Conference Player of the Year Carrie Summerhays who qualified for last summer's U. S. Open as an amateur.

BYU is hoping to improve going into the final two round which conclude on Saturday.

"I think we came out a little nervous, but we finished the round strong," Nyhus said. "I think that will momentum will continue into tomorrow."

BYU Individual Scores

Lisa Dernick 75

Adrianne Gibby 78

Carrie Summerhays 80

MerriLyn Gibbs 84

Summer Pierce 85