AUGUSTA, Ga. – The No. 23 University of North Georgia women's golf team sits in third place after the first of three days in the 2024 Peach Belt Conference Championship. At the par-72 Forest Hills Golf Club, the Nighthawks finished day one 21-over-par, just behind Lander at 16-over and Flagler at nine-over.

All five UNG competitors for head coach Sierra Campbell currently sit in 17th or better out of the  29 players competing in the event. The Nighthawks have a pair of players in the top-10 in senior Danielle Humphrey and junior Ellie Rippee. 

Lightning early Friday morning delayed the start of the round for all the teams. However, it did not stop Humphrey from having a very good opening round. 

The Panama City, Fla. native recorded a pair of birdies on her way to a three-over-par 75 round. Humphrey sits just four shots back of first place held by Lander's Sakurako Tanaka, the only player to record an opening round below par at one-under. At T6, Humphrey is tied with two other competitors at three-over. 

Meanwhile Rippee is just one shot behind her teammate at T8 after an opening round 76 to sit four-over-par. Rippee did not make a birdie Friday, but did no more damage than four bogeys and 14 pars to maintain a solid round. 

Graduate student Amari Smith follows Humphrey and Rippee at tied for 13th with a seven-over-par 79 in the first round, as does freshman Abby Franks. 

The second round will commence tomorrow, Saturday, Apr. 20.