April 20, 2003

The University of Kentucky women’s golf team finished in eighth place at the 2003 Southeastern Conference Championship, recording a three-round total of 944 (309-311-324, +80) at the 54-hole tournament played on University Club of Kentucky’s par-72, 6,153-yard “Big Blue” championship course.

“We enjoyed the opportunity to host such a prestigious event at our home course,” Coach Stephanie Martin said. “This was a very challenging tournament. The change in conditions from day-to-day made the course play differently during all three rounds. It put the nation’s best players to the test.

“For our part, we were happy to finish eighth. We could have advanced a few spots higher, but against such great competition eighth is not so bad.”

Senior Rachel Lester recorded her fourth top-20 finish of the season, placing in a tie of 16th with a three-day total of 231, 15-over-par. Lester’s 77 on Sunday was also the Cats’ lowest score of the day.

Senior Kelly Anders finished with a final round of 81 to place in a tie for 25th at 19-over-par. Anders 54-hole total of 235 was her lowest score since October’s Tar Heel Invitational, where the Springfield, Ill., native placed fourth.

Sophomore Stacy Springer matched Anders’ Sunday mark, giving herself a total score of 231. She finished at 21-over-par and earned her first career top-30 finish. Sophomore Lauren George’s final-round 85 gave her a three-day total of 241. She finished tied for 38th place at 25-over-par. Junior Eva Gessner carded a third-day score of 90, moving her final total to a 38-over-par 254.