Arkansas Golf Fact Sheet #8

Arkansas Golf Fact Sheet #8 – Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational2007 UCF InvitationalThe University of Arkansas golf team returns to the links but not to the Sunshine State this week traveling to Texas for the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational in Austin.
The Betsy FieldArkansas faces a more central region field this week taking on Baylor, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Purdue, SMU and of course Texas.
Purdue, then ArkansasArkansas is the second-highest ranked team taking part in the Betsy. Purdue, ranked 15th by GolfWeek, 18th by Golfstat and 13th by Golf World leads the field. Arkansas is next 25/24/23. Those are the only two top 25 teams scheduled to compete this weekend.
The Missing SECThe Betsy Rawls will be the first field of the year that Arkansas doesn’t take on an SEC team this year. The only other tournament without an SEC team on schedule is the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic April 8-9.
Arkansas at the Betsy RawlsThe Lady Razorbacks have made four trips to the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational in and around Austin, Texas. The team’s first appearance came in 1999 (March 26-28) under then head coach Ulrika Belline. Arkansas’ best finish was a fifth place showing (in a 17-team field) and the team’s best score was a 927 (309-302-316) both of which came in 2005.
About the Golf CourseArkansas has made four appearances at the Betsy playing three different courses. The first appearance in 1999 saw the Lady Razorbacks play at Great Hills Golf Course. Arkansas played Barton Creek CC in 2003 and the event moved to the just completed University of Texas Golf Course in 2005 and 2006 where it will again be held.
From TexasSports.com — The University of Texas Golf Club is located at Steiner Ranch in the Hill Country of northwest Austin, overlooking Lake Austin and is the new home of the Texas men’s and women’s golf teams. The UT Golf Club has a 7,154-yard, par 71 championship-caliber golf course created by Bechtol Russell Golf Design. Built in the Texas Hill Country, the course overlooks Lake Austin and borders the Balcones Natual Wildlife Preserve, offering challenging shots and views that rival the best in Austin.
Lewis Earns ExemptionJunior Lady Razorback Stacy Lewis earned an exemption to play in the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship March 26-April 1 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The event takes place at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club. This is Lewis’ second LPGA event. She participated in the Owens Corning Jamie Farr Classic in Ohio in the summer of 2006.
A new player for the Lady’BacksThe Lady Razorbacks welcome the addition of freshman transfer Kristin Ingrim to the 2006-07 roster. Ingram committed to Arkansas for the fall semester but her circumstances changed and she walked on at UNLV. Ingram’s situation again changed and she has joined Arkansas for the spring semester. She played in four fall events at UNLV with a 77.5 stroke average.
Lewy gets the job doneArkansas junior Stacy Lewis has been the Lady’Backs’ top finisher in all four fall events and tied for medalist honors at the Peg Barnard Invitational in October. Sophomore Lucy Nunn has finished second in three of four events while Alex Schulte has been third twice and fourth twice.
Lewis named Golfweek Amateur of the YearJunior Stacy Lewis earned Golfweek Amateur of the Year honors it was recently announced. An annual award that dates back to 1988 when Golfweek began its national amateur rankings, Lewis becomes the first Lady Razorback to ever win the award. The Woodlands, Texas, native spent much of the 2006 summer as the top-ranked amateur in the country with several big wins under her belt. Lewis’ amateur accomplishments included a stroke-play victory at the Harder Hall Invitational in January, a runner-up finish at the Southern Amateur, the Western Amateur title and semifinal finishes at both the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the North and South. Lewis’ college career has also been stellar with back-to-back all-America, all-Southeastern Conference and academic all-America honors. She was the 2005 SEC Championship medalist setting a course record at Tunica National.
Who’s making the trip?Arkansas will take six and count five for the next two events. Scheduled to make the trips are Stacy Lewis, Alex Schulte, Lucy Nunn, Kristin Ingram, Ashley Medders and Corinna Rees.
Frequent Flyer miles to the Sunshine StateArkansas should ask for frequent flyer miles to Florida. The trip to Florida for the NCAA Preview was the first of five trips to the Sunshine State. Arkansas also travels to the Hooters Match Play Championship (Orlando), the Central District Invitational (Parrish), the UCF Invitational (Grand Cypress) and the NCAA Championship (Daytona Beach).