SHAWNEE, Pa.  – The Catholic women's golf team began its quest for a fourth straight Landmark Championship on Saturday in the opening round of the tournament. The Cardinals put themselves in a strong position by shooting a 335 (+47) as a team to get out to a seven shot lead over Drew who sits in second place. 

The Cardinals had four players in the top 10 individually in the standings during the round, led by Brooke Smith, who sits in fifth place after shooting an 82 (+10) in round one. She wrapped up her round by making pars on three of the last four holes on the back nine and also recorded birdies on the 338-yard fifth hole and the 488-yard par four on 11.

Lauren Wright and Gabi Courtney each were tied for sixth in the standings after shooting an 83 to be just one stroke back of the top 5. Wright finished with eight pars overall during her round with three in a row from holes 5-7. Courtney had a strong back nine, shooting a 40 over the last nine holes, including picking up pars on six out of seven holes from 11-17.

Meghan Mullen finished the day in a tie for 10th while shooting an 87 where she poured in seven pars during her round. The other Catholic player in the lineup was Mary McGuire, who shot a 93 on the day.

The Cardinals will look to hold on to the lead and capture another conference championship on Sunday, April 26 as the tee times for round two are still to be determined.