April 17, 2009

BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The University of Kentucky women’s golf team concludes the opening round of the Southeastern Conference Championship with a 13-stroke improvement from last year’s score with a 313, on April 17 at Cobblestone Park Golf Club.

“The weather was perfect and we just couldn’t find our rhythm,” head coach Myra Blackwelder said. “After the round, they identified the areas where they lost shots and worked on things for a few hours. Mallory Blackwelder played solidly and her [score] is four shots off the lead.”

Senior Mallory Blackwelder led the Wildcats with a three-over-par 74 – a 10 stroke improvement from her 2008 score. Alyssa Randolph joined Blackwelder as the two Wildcats to break 80. The Knoxville, Tenn., freshman tied for 40th place shooting a 78 (+7).

Junior Sara Hurwitch carded 80 – good for a 49th-place tie. Kristin Vincent shaved eight strokes off her 2008 opening round score with an 81. The Burlington, N.C., junior concluded the day in a tie for 52nd place. Trailing Vincent by one stroke, freshman Ashlee Rose carded an 82 – good for a 54th-place tie.

No. 41 Kentucky finished in 11th place carding 313, a mere six strokes from defending champions No. 28 Florida.

“The golf course is a good test, and the team will focus on playing one shot at a time and recovering tomorrow,” Myra Blackwelder said.

Tee times begin at 8:30 a.m. ET Saturday. Live scoring is available on www.golfstat.com.

Wildcat Scores

T18-Mallory Blackwelder (74 +3) 

T40-Alyssa Randolph (78 +7)
T49-Sara Hurwitch (80 +9) 

T52-Kristin Vincent (81 +10)
T54-Ashlee Rose (82 +11)