Oct. 15, 2009
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Kentucky women’s golf team returns to action Oct. 17-18 at the Mercedes-Benz Women’s Championship held at Fox Den Country Club (par 72, 6317 yards) in Knoxville, Tenn.
“The girls have had a couple of weeks off to rest, catch up with school work and make adjustments in their games,” head coach Myra Blackwelder said. “The weather forecast is for rain and cool weather, and the team is ready to use that to their advantage.”
Last time out, the Wildcats hosted the Bettie Lou Evans Fall Invitational where they finished in 13th place with a 36-hole 621 (318-303). Seniors Kristin Vincent (75-76) and Sara Hurwitch (77-74) led the team with top-25 finishes.
Hurwitch is set to lead the Wildcats at the Mercedes-Benz Women’s Championship as the only senior competitor. Entering her third event of the season, Hurwitch has posted two top-25 finishes, placing 15th at the Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup and 24th at the Bettie Lou Evans Fall Invitational.
Kentucky’s three freshmen, Ashleigh Albrecht, Betsie Johnson and Heather Lott join Hurwitch in the starting five. Albrecht last competed in the Bettie Lou Evans Fall Invitational as a member of the junior varsity squad. Posting a 147 (77-70), Albrecht was the highest-finishing Wildcat with an eighth-place finish.
Lott also competed for the junior varsity squad at the Bettie Lou Evans Fall Invitational. With a 150 (74-76), Lott finished in a tie for 17th. Johnson competed for the varsity squad at the Bettie Lou Evans Fall Invitational, where she shot a 164 (88-76). This marks the fourth event for each of the three freshmen.
Sophomore Ashlee Rose rounds out the starting five. Rose registered a 16th-place finish (71-76-78) in the season-opening Mary Fossum Invitational. This marks Rose’s third event of the season.
The Wildcats finished in a tie for ninth in last season’s Mercedes-Benz Women’s Championship. Rose recorded a 227 (73-76-78) and Hurwitch posted a 230 (76-81-73).
Kentucky faces a number of Southeastern Conference competitors at the tournament. SEC opponents include Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Florida and LSU. Also participating is Louisville, Wake Forest, TCU, Kent State, UTSA, Chattanooga, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Furman, Ohio State and Tulane.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for complete coverage of the women’s golf team.
