The University of Kentucky women’s golf team finished in 17th place at the 2000 Lady Paladin Invitational in Greenville, S.C., on Sunday, Oct.22. The Kats moved up one place in the standings after shooting a 312 in Sunday’s action to bring their three round total to 951.

Auburn continued to dominate the field, shooting a 296 in the final round to capture the team title with a score of 877. AU’s Celeste Troche wonthe individual title with a 6-under par 210.

Kentucky golfers finishing the event included sophomore Rachel Lester, who led UK with a 15-over par 231, which was good enough to tie herfor 42nd, and junior Towa Okiyama, who tallied a three round total of 236 and finished tied for 57th. Sophomore Kelly Anders notched a 21-over par237 to finish in 63rd, while junior Kristen Pepe finished in 94th with a 248. Senior Jenny Throgmorton rounded out the UK roster in 98th with athree-day total of 250. Freshman Eva Gessner, who competed as an indivudual, finished in 106th with a final score of 253.

“We obviously would have like to have preformed better this weekend,” Coach Bettie Lou Evans said. “We improved each day, and I hope thatwe can get back to Lexington, regroup and focus on our next tournament.”

The Lady Kats return to action Nov. 6-8, when they participate in the Pine Needles Tournament in Pinehurst, N.C. The three-day event willwrap up the 2000 fall schedule.

Team Standings

1. Auburn, 877; 2. South Carolina, 884; 3. Furman, 894; 4. North Carolina, 896; 5. Vanderbilt, 900; 6. Georgia, 901; 7. Wake Forest, 902; 8. TCU, 905; 9. Memphis, 912; 10. Florida, 913; 11. Mississippi State, 915; 12. Louisville, 918; 13. Florida State, 924; 14.North Carolina-Greensboro, 928; 15. Tulane, 932; 17. Kentucky, 951; 18. College of Charleston, 953; 19. Appalachian State, 973; 20. Winthrop,977; 21. Coastal Carolina, 979; 22. Wofford, 1018.

Top 10 Individuals1. Celeste Troche               Auburn          68      71      71      2102. Kristy McPherson     South Carolina  72      72      70      2143. Brittany Straza              Florida         72      71      73      2164. Nicki Cutler         Vanderbilt      72      74      71      2175. Meaghan Francella    Memphis         73      75      71      219    Nuria Clau          Wake Forest     70      73      76      2197. Jennifer Perri               Furman          71      73      76      220    Summer Sirmons      Georgia         74      75      71      220    Brandi Jackson              Furman          72      75      73      220    Ashley Prange               North Carolina  76      78      66      220    Lori Sutherland             TCU             72      74      74      220