Feb. 26, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s golf team co-hosts the inaugural Kinderlou Forest Challenge with Kennesaw State at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Ga., March 1-2.
Drawing competitors from seven different conferences, including 10 Southeastern Conference squads, the Kinderlou Forest Challenge is set to draw eight top 25 teams in the country. Top-25 participants include: No. 6 Tennessee, No. 11 Georgia, No. 12 Virginia, No. 17 Florida, No. 18 LSU, No. 20 Vanderbilt, No. 23 South Carolina and No. 24 Ohio State.
The Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, designed by Davis Love III, opened in 2004 and has been tabbed as one of the nation’s top courses. Each year, the Kinderlou Forest Golf Club plays host to the Nationwide Tour’s South Georgia Classic.
For the Kinderlou Forest Challenge, the course will play 6,265 yards and par 73.
“It has been our goal to make the Kinderlou Forest Challenge one of the premier collegiate golf tournaments in the country,” head coach Myra Blackwelder said.
A 54-hole event, the tournament kicks off Monday with 36 holes and an 8:30 a.m. EST start. Final round action will resume Tuesday with another 8:30 a.m. EST shotgun start.
Also joining the Wildcats and Kennesaw State are Kent State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, North Carolina, UTC, Tulane, Arkansas and Florida State.
Kentucky enters the Kinderlou Forest Challenge after an 11th-place finish at the Hurricane Invitational held Feb. 14-16 in Miami Lakes, Fla. The Wildcats recorded a 926 (310-303-313) during the 54-hole, 17-team tournament.
“We are very excited to get back into action at Kinderlou Forest against one of the strongest fields of the year,” Blackwelder said. “This is a pivotal tournament for our young team who is looking for a strong year-end push. A top-10 finish in this inaugural event would be a significant step forward for our team.”
Senior Kristin Vincent led Kentucky with a 13-over-par 229 (77-75-77). Finishing in a tie for 24th, Vincent recorded her fourth top-25 performance in five events. Fellow senior Sara Hurwitch finished three strokes behind Vincent and landed in a tie for 41st after recording a 232 (79-75-78).
Freshman Ashleigh Albrecht also finished in the top 50 after shooting a 49th-place 235 (81-74-80). Another freshman, Betsie Johnson, posted a 238 (76-79-83) to finish fourth for the Wildcats. Rounding out the starting five for Kentucky was sophomore Ashlee Rose, recording a 239 (78-83-78).
“We have used our practice time to work hard on our short games and button down some other issues with the golf swing,” Blackwelder said. “The girls are very focused on building on their performance in Miami and are anxious to continue their good play from the late fall.”
After the Kinderlou Forest Challenge, the Wildcats travel to New Orleans, La., for the Tiger/Wave Classic hosted by LSU and Tulane.
Live stats for the Kinderlou Forest Challenge are available at golfstat.com. Visit UKathletics.com for more information on the Kinderlou Forest Challenge.
For complete coverage of the Kentucky women’s golf team, stay tuned to UKathletics.com.
