Bunkers were a problem for the big swingers of the USC golf team Wednesday as Sam Gackstetter participated in the Class ‘A’ State Tournament as an individual and Ali Wood led the girls’ team at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker, Minn.

The Rebel girls shot a 438, good for seventh place after one round. Wood led the team with a 91, tied for the 14th best individual score of the day.

Wood shot a 49 and 42 while struggling on the final nine holes.

“She kept putting the ball in the bunkers,” head coach Randy Halvorsen said. “Her drives were getting loose.”

Driving accuracy was a problem for Gackstetter, too, as he was caught in many of the expansive bunkers that line Pebble Creek fairways.

“His drives weren’t as precise as they usually are,” said Halvorson of Gackstetter. “It cost him a few strokes.”

Halverson didn’t think bunkers would impact either of his two top players’ games, but both Wood and Gackstetter found ways to give themselves a shot at a top-10 finish.

“Gackstetter hit some beautiful shots,” said Halvorson of Gackstetter’s 81 stroke round.

Erinn Hotzler had the second best score for USC with a 111, followed by Claire Christian with a 112, Veronica Schindler with a 124 and Genna Anderson with a 134.

Anderson opened day two for the Rebels at 8:24 a.m., Gackstetter’s teed off at 12:07 p.m.