Arkansas Golf Fact Sheet #9

Arkansas Golf Fact Sheet #9 -Liz Murphey Classic2007 35th Annual Liz Murphey Collegiate ClassicThe University of Arkansas golf team returns to the links traveling to head coach Kelley Hester’s home state of Georgia for the Liz Murphey Collegiate Challenge March 23-26. Arkansas tees off in reverse order beginning at 10:40 a.m. Eastern. The Liz FieldArkansas faces a tough 18-team field at the Liz highlighted by the host Bulldogs who are ranked No. 1 by Golf World. Georgia is ranked third by both Golfweek and Golfstat. Also competing in fourth-ranked Auburn, No. 11 Florida, No. 15 Purdue, No. 16 Wake Forest, No. 19 Virginia, No. 22 Michigan State and No. 25 LSU all of whom are ranked higher than Arkansas (No. 26) in the latest Golfweek poll. The Missing SEC – NotArkansas was the lone SEC team competing in the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Classic last week but that is certainly not the case this week. Eight of the 12 league members are taking part in this year’s Liz Murphey. Arkansas at the LizThe Lady Razorbacks have competed at the Liz Murphey in each of the previous 11 seasons of the program. It is one of only two events that Arkansas has competed in each year – the other is the SEC Championship. More About LizArkansas’s best finish at the Liz was a ninth-place showing and the teams best score at the UGA Golf Course is a 919 (306-310-303). About the Golf Course (from georgiadogs.com) The Bulldogs’ home layout stretches over 7,000 yards and plays to a par of 72. Golf Digest has rated it as one of the top 50 public courses in the nation. The UGA Course is characterized by lush bermuda fairways best known for their length. Water guards four of the holes while strategically placed bunkers border quick, bent grass greens. In the past seven years, it has undergone large-scale renovations, making the greens larger and more undulating. Mounds and pot bunkers have also changed the look of the greens and enhanced the challenge of getting to the pins, as well. 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. 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. What about Schulte? Alex Schulte injured her wrist in the second round of the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational. She is listed as day-to-day and is still expected to make the trip at this time. Lewis rebounds at BetsyStacy Lewis opened play with a four-over 76 in Austin but rebounded with a even par 72 and a two-under 70 in the final round for a second place finish last week. It was the best finish by a Lady’Back this spring. Nunn gets it doneSophomore Lucy Nunn also had a very solid showing at the Betsy Rawals. Nunn was in second place early in the event and in contention to win the tournament. She finished with a final round 77 and tied for sixth overall – her best finish as a Lady Razorback. Times getting shortIt’s hard to believe that time is getting short but that’s what’s happening for the Arkansas golf team. The Lady’Backs play in the Liz and travel to Norman, Okla., for the Susie Maxwel Berning Classic April 8-9 concluding the regular season. Arkansas travels to West Point, Miss., and Old Waverly Golf Course for the SEC Championship April 20-22, before Regionals (May 10-12) and the NCAA Championship (May 22-25). Lewis ranked 27th by GolfweekArkansas junior Stacy Lewis is ranked 27th in collegiate women’s golf this week by Golfweek.com. The rankings are computer-based numbers crunched to reflect finish, stroke average, events and strength of schedule.