LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The University of Kentucky women?s golf team returns to the links this week at the 2008 SEC Championships in Loudon, Tenn., at the Tennessee National Golf Course.
The Wildcats have enjoyed an impressive first-season under first-year coach Myra Blackwelder. Kentucky has been among the ranks of the top-25 in the country, seen two golfers notch four top-10 finishes and the team has earned two top-five finishes. Additionally, UK tallied the second lowest round in school history with a score of 290 in the Mason Rudolph Invitational to open up play for the 2007-08 campaign in September.
Kentucky will face some of the stiffest competition in the country as all 12 SEC teams are ranked in the top-65 in the country. Florida, Georgia, Auburn and Alabama are all ranked in the top-10 in the nation, with Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU also appearing in the top-25.
The tournament is being held on the Tennessee National Golf Course designed by PGA legend Greg Norman which opened in 2006. The tournament is being held in Tennessee for just the second time, and first since 1996. A season-ago Georgia claimed the SEC title, and their very own Taylor Leon earned top individual honors.
Comprising the field this week is junior Mallory Blackwelder, senior Beth Felts, freshman Louise Ljungstedt, and sophomores Erica Still and Kristin Vincent.
Blackwelder is set to shatter the single season scoring average in school history this week. The junior currently holds a 74.96 average on the year, and will eclipse Ali Kicklighter?s 76.50 scoring average set in the 05-06 season. Blackwelder?s top finish this season was a tie for second place at the Qdoba Invitational, and has earned two other top-10 finishes.
Felts will make her fourth consecutive appearance in the conference tournament, and has twice led the team in scoring at the event. The senior from Chattanooga, will finish her collegiate career in her home state. Felts? senior campaign was highlighted by a hole-in-one on her way to a tie for 16th place at the Lady Gator Invitational.
Ljungstedt has been a mainstay in the Kentucky lineup as a first-year player, appearing in all eight of Kentucky?s tournaments. In her first season, she has notched a career-low score of 73 twice during the season. Ljungstedt earned her first career top-20 finish in the final regular season tournament at the Crimson Tide Classic in early April.
Still has also started in the UK lineup in each of its eight tournaments. The sophomore carded her collegiate career-low round of 71 this season. Still tallied a tie for 18th in the Crimson Tide Classic giving Kentucky three players in the top-20 on the individual leaderboard.
Vincent rounds out the team for the Wildcats and has played her best collegiate golf as of late. The sophomore shot a career-low 74 and earned her first career top-10 finish at the Crimson Tide Classic. Vincent tied for ninth in the final tournament of the season to lead the team in scoring for the first time in her young career.
Complete coverage of the results this week in Tennessee, can be found by visiting www.ukathletics.com.
Felts Named to the 2008 SEC Women?s Golf Community Service Team
Senior Beth Felts earned recognition for her community out reach efforts by the conference office Thursday. Felts was tabbed a member of the Community Service Team for her many hours of service in the Lexington area throughout her career. She has spent the majority of her time as a mentor and tutor for Johnson Elementary School. Additionally, she has participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, worked as a volunteer at the UK Children?s Hospital and participated with individuals in the Special Olympics Bowling tournament. Additionally she has served at the Special Olympics Golf Camp. During the holidays she also has participated as a Bell Ringer for the Salvation Army.
This is the first such honor of her career. A year ago, Felts was named the SEC Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year. Felts also became the school?s first-ever SEC Golfer of the Week when she earned the honor in her sophomore season.
