The Arizona women's golf team began its spring season yesterday at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge and is tied for ninth after first round action.

The Wildcats trail tournament leader UCLA by 18 strokes. Arizona shot a 23-over-par 307 while the Bruins shot 5-under-par 289. Duke and Pepperdine ended the day second and third, respectively. Pacific 10 Conference foe Washington tied Oklahoma State tied for fourth as both teams shot a 13-over-par 297.

Junior Cassandra Kirkland paced Arizona, tying for seventh place after shooting a 2-over-par 73. Fellow junior Whitney Welch shot a 76 (+5), while senior Miriam Kraschinski finished 53rd with a 78 (+7). Junior Lani Elston is tied for 64th after ending with a 9-over-par 80 and senior Mar Garcia shot an 86 (15 over par) to tie for 78th.

Round two begins tomorrow at 10:45 a.m. at Palo Verdes Estates, Calif., a par 71 over a 5,912-yard layout.