GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Alia Scotka opened play at the 2023 NCAA Division II Women's Golf South Regional Championship with an 82 on Monday at Chattahoochee Golf Club.
 
The sophomore Argonaut opened play with two pars before making a birdie on the par 3 third hole, sinking a 33-foot putt to move to 1-under-par. Following two more pars, she hit her second shot on the par 5 sixth to nine feet and two-putted to take the overall lead at 2-under-par.
 
She was unable to continue the strong performance, playing the final 12 holes at 14-over-par.
 
"It was a tough day for Alia but she hung in there," said UWF head coach Kristen Dorsey. "She knows she is capable of going low because she has in the past. We will manage her game tonight and hopefully put up a good number (tomorrow)."
 
Scotka took a shot out of a hazard on No. 14 and injured her wrist when her 58-degree wedge made contact with a rock.
 
The 66-player field made just 38 birdies and one eagle across a combined 1,188 holes in the first round which saw the course saturated following heavy rain from overnight.
 
Scotka will be paired with Loa Johannsson of Embry-Riddle and Ainsley Cowart of West Georgia in Tuesday's second round. The trio will tee off on No. 1 at noon Eastern Time.