Baete Takes Early Lead in Bahamas

Nebraska women’s golfer Kirsten Baete fired a five-under-par 67 on Friday to take the lead after the opening round of the White Sands Invitational at Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Baete, a senior from Beatrice, Neb., carded the second-best round of her Husker career by recording six birdies and an eagle on the the 542-yard par-five second hole in the first round. She sizzled on the front nine with a five-under-par 31, while managing an even-par 36 on the back despite a bogey and a double-bogey. Only six of the 43 golfers in the field ended the opening round under par, including Campbell’s Anna Nordfors (-4) and Emily Hawkins (-2), along wither Mercer’s Mikayla Dubnik (-2) and Miami’s Anna Backman (-1) and Franziska Sliper (-1).

“The experience of this tournament thus far has been first class,” Nebraska Coach Lisa Johnson said. “We love the golf course and it sets up well for our games. Kirsten Baete’s round today was impressive, especially considering she had a double on No. 11. We look forward to continuing our solid play in tomorrow’s second round.”

While Baete played outstanding golf to get to the top of the first-round leaderboard, teammates Megan Whittaker (Elkhorn, Neb.) and Miu Takahashi (Japan) were also solid, producing even-par rounds of 72 to sit in a tie for second after 18 holes on the 6,415-yard layout of the Ocean Club Golf Course.

Sophomore Michaela Vavrova (Bojnice, Slovakia) put together Nebraska’s No. 4 score of the day with a 74 (+2) in the five-count-four scoring to enter Saturday’s second round in a tie for 15th.

Nebraska’s four strong individual scores allowed the Huskers to end the day with an opening-round 285 (-3) in second place, just one shot back of the team leaders from Campbell (284). The Huskers own an eight-stroke lead over third-place Mercer and a nine-shot edge over the hosts from Miami in the seven-team field.

Vavrova is tied with Husker teammates Lindsey Thiele (Wahoo, Neb.) and Andrea Velez (Colombia), who both closed the day at 74 while playing as individuals outside the Husker lineup. 

Vanessa Bouvet played as the No. 5 Husker in the lineup and ended the first round with a 76 (+4) in a tie for 29th. Nicole Hansen and Lena Hassert rounded out the Husker contingent in a tie for 40th at 83 while playing as individuals.

The Huskers will be back in action in the Bahamas for Saturday’s second round, which is set for a 7 a.m. (CT) shotgun start at the Ocean Club. Live scoring will be available from GolfStat.com.

White Sands Invitational

Oct. 22-24, 2021

Paradise Island, Bahamas (Ocean Club GC)

Par 72, 6,415 Yards

Team Standings (First Round)

1. Campbell – 284 (-4)

2. Nebraska – 285 (-3)

3. Mercer – 293 (+5)

4. Miami – 294 (+6)

5. Northern Illinois – 304 (+16)

T6. Iowa – 308 (+20)

T6. Florida International – 308 (+20)

Individual Leaderboard (First Round)

1. Kirsten Baete, Nebraska – 67 (-5)

2. Anna Nordfors, Campbell – 68 (-4)

T3. Emily Hawkins, Campbell – 70 (-2)

T3. Mikayla Dubnik*, Mercer – 71 (-1)

T5. Anna Backman, Miami – 71 (-1)

T5. Franziska Sliper*, Miami – 71 (-1)

T7. Miu Takahashi, Nebraska – 72 (E)

T7. Megan Whittaker, Nebraska – 72 (E)

T7. Tomita Arejola, Campbell – 72 (E)

T7. Carol Pyon, Mercer – 72 (E)

Nebraska Individuals

1. Kirsten Baete – 67 (-5)

T7. Miu Takahashi – 72 (E)

T7. Megan Whittaker – 72 (E)

T15. Michaela Vavrova – 74 (+2)

T15. Lindsey Thiele* – 74 (+2)

T15. Andrea Velez* – 74 (+2)

T29. Vanessa Bouvet – 76 (+4)

T40. Lena Hassert* – 83 (+11)

T40. Nicole Hansen* – 83 (+11)

*competing as an individual outside team lineup