April 18, 2009

BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The University of Kentucky women’s golf team bettered its score by 16 strokes and tallied a 297 in the second round of the Southeastern Conference Championship on April 18 at Cobblestone Park Golf Club.

“Conditions were perfect today, and we got off to a much better start,” head coach Myra Blackwelder said. “Our start set the tone for better overall scoring despite playing the last six holes 12 over. Ashlee Rose rebounded from a difficult start with a 72. Mallory Blackwelder followed up with another 74 to put herself three shots out of top 10.”

Ashlee Rose rallied to shave 10 strokes off her score as she carded a one-over-par 72. The Lexington, Ky., freshman climbed 15 spots to tie for 38th place.

Senior Mallory Blackwelder’s three-over-par 74 secured a tie for 19th place with a cumulative score of 148.

Alyssa Randolph shot a four-over-par 75 – a three-stroke improvement from round one- to tie for 34th place.

Juniors Kristin Vincent and Sara Hurwitch also bettered their scores carding 76 and 78. Vincent shaved five shots off her score to tie for 47th place, and Hurwitch improved by two strokes to tie for 49th.

No. 41 Kentucky remained is 11th place with a 610 (313-297). The Wildcats, however, out played four teams in round two including host No. 40 South Carolina and No. 18 Vanderbilt.

“Although we knocked off 16 shots today, the team feels that they left a lot of birdies out on the course,” Myra Blackwelder said. “The girls had a light practice after the round in preparation for round three.”

Tee times will begin shotgun style at 8:00 a.m. ET Sunday. Live scoring is available on www.golfstat.com.

Wildcat Scores

T19-Mallory Blackwelder (74-74–148 +6) 

T34-Alyssa Randolph (78-75–153 +11)
T38-Ashlee Rose (82-72–154 +12) 

T47-Kristin Vincent (81-76–157 +15)
T49-Sara Hurwitch (80-78–158 +16)