The Penn State women's golf team battled the notoriously difficult Pinehurst green Monday and yesterday to finish with 648 points at the Pinehurst Challenge in North Carolina. The Nittany Lions tied with Oregon for 13th place out of 17 teams competing. East Carolina and N.C. State tied for first place victories with a score of 613.

Penn State senior Evelyn Paik was the highest ranked Nittany Lion, tying for sixth place overall with a score of 153, nine-over par.

Senior Maggie Lester shot five-over 77 and tied for 49th place with a 19-over 163. Junior Sara Lester finished with a score of 21-over, 165, tying for 64th place.

The Lions began the tournament with a weak showing on Monday, ending in 15th place.

"Collectively none of us got it done the first round," junior Christin Pacacha said. "This was the first time we'd golfed since October and it was an adjustment."

Pacacha said the course is very difficult by nature, but going out there for the first time in three months didn't make it easier. Going outside, though, was a welcome change for the team who's been practicing indoors this season.

"Saturday afternoon was great," Pacacha said. "The first thing we did after check-in was put on clothes and go outside. It was refreshing to be out there in normal golf clothes and watching the ball fly."

The team's first competitive round in three months continued yesterday on a much better note, with the golfers dropping at least four shots each from the first round to the second.

"Playing tournament golf is different," Pacahca said. "It's mental, it's getting out there and trying to play our best."

According to Pacacha, the team struggled with its game around the green.

The rough conditions, high winds, and low temperatures also contributed to the Lions' slow start.

"The most challenging part was handling yourself around the green and putting yourself in the right position," Pacacha said.

Despite the mediocre finish, the team is excited and looking forward to the next five tournaments.

"It was a sort of disappointing first round," Pacacha said. "But it's the first round of a tournament -- one round doesn't make you, one round doesn't break you. We're starting in an ok place and we have nowhere to go but up."

For the team's tournament in Texas next weekend, it will work on becoming more consistent each round and staying focused on the ultimate goal -- the Big Ten championship.

"Everything is stepping stone to the Big Ten, every competitive round we learn something about ourselves as players," Pacacha said. "You don't drop 26 shots in a round if you're not doing something right -- everything's a learning experience."