LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The Kentucky women?s golf team is looking for a strong showing this weekend when it travels to Franklin, Tenn., to compete in the 26th annual Southeastern Conference Championships hosted by Vanderbilt University at the Vanderbilt Legends Club. The tournament opens Friday with tee times beginning at 9 a.m. ET and will continue through Sunday. Live statistics will be available on www.golfstat.com.
“Our team feels good heading into the SEC Championships,” UK head coach Stephanie Barker said. “Everyone looks really solid and we have had good balance throughout our lineup all season long. Everyone is expecting to play well and it is exciting to know that if we put together a strong performance that we have a great chance in trying to reach the postseason.”
The Wildcats are coming off two consecutive top-five finishes in their last two tournaments, having captured the Lady Seahawk Invitational and finished fourth in the John Kirk/Lady Panther Intercollegiate. Sophomore Beth Felts (Chattanooga, Tenn.) was named Kentucky?s first-ever SEC Golfer of the Week, as she tied for second place individually in leading the Cats to the Lady Seahawk Invitational title.
The Wildcats will be facing stiff competition in the SEC Championships, as 10 of the league?s 12 teams are ranked in the Golfweek top 50. In addition, the Wildcats are ranked 55th in the latest poll, making 11 of the tournament?s 12 teams ranked among the nation?s top 55 squad.
Senior Ali Kicklighter (DeLand, Fla.) leads the team with a 76.41 per-stroke average, which ranks 30th in the Southeastern Conference. Kicklighter has played in each of the Cats? 29 rounds this season, having posted a squad-best four top-10 individual finishes.
Kentucky has never won the SEC Championships in the 25-year history of the event and the Wildcats? highest mark was a second-place in the 1986 season. The Cats finished eighth in last season?s league championships, held in Tunica, Miss., after carding a three-round total of 923 (310-314-299). Auburn claimed last season?s title after outlasting Georgia in a sudden victory scenario. Both squads fired a 904 over the three-day event.
The Cats, who currently are ranked 55th in the nation, are looking to post a strong score this weekend to add to their case for an NCAA regional appearance.
Complete results and a recap will be available on ukathletics.com.
