Hester Lady'Backs announce 2005-06 schedule

Jump to schedule FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas women’s golf team welcomes back Tyson and the Embassy Suitesas the sponsors of this year’s home golf tournament as part of the 2005-06 schedule head coach Kelley Hester announced today. The Lady Razorbacks host their eighth consecutive tournament and second event in partnership with Tyson and the Embassy Suites. "We are pleased with our field for the 2005 Tyson/Embassy Suites Invitational," said Hester. "The field has quite a few Central Region teams with several returners from recent years. We are looking forward to improving on our third place finish last year and I’m anticipating some strong individual performances, especially from my four seniors who will be playing their final home event." The Lady Razorbacks open the year at the Mason Rudolph Championship hosted by Vanderbilt Sept. 23-25, in what can be viewed as a Southeastern Conference Championship tune-up. The event is the first of five fall events and takes place at The Legends Club in Nashville, Tenn., the same course the league championship will be contested on. Arkansas follows up with the Tyson/Embassy SuitesInvitational at Pinnacle Country Club Oct. 16-18, and returns to the Volunteer State for the Tennessee-hosted Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship in Knoxville, Oct. 21-23. The Lady’Backs return to some of Hester’s old stomping grounds in Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown Oct. 31-Nov. 2, and wrap up the fall at the invitation-only Hooters Match Play Championship Nov. 11-13, in Howie-In-The-Hills, Fla. "Our start at Vandy will be a preview for the SEC Championship," noted Hester. "Tennessee’s tournament is one that we always seem to play well in and UNLV will be a bit of a homecoming for me and a chance for our kids to see some of the best West Coast competition. It is an honor for us to be invited to compete in the match play as the top 12 teams from NCAA championships were asked to play. It is a totally different format than any other collegiate event and should be a lot of fun." The Lady’Backs return to the golf course in February after the winter break opening the spring with their first-ever appearance at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenged hosted by Ohio State in Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 13-15. Arkansas makes a quick turn-around traveling to the 2006 Lady Puerto Rico Invitational Feb. 24-26, in another first-time event for the Lady’Backs. Arkansas returns to some familiar territory at the Texas A&M "Mo" Morial Classic March 10-12, followed by the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic March 24-26. The Lady’Backs wrap up the regular season at the 2006 SEC Championship hosted by Vanderbilt April 14-16. Postseason action begins May 11-13 at one of three possible regional sites followed by the NCAA Championship at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course May 23-26. "Our schedule had a major facelift," said Hester. "We are thrilled to be included in some of our first-time events but at the same time realize that we are entering into a completely different level of competition as all of our fields will boast mostly top 20 teams. We start the spring at the Regional Challenge and it’s a huge honor to be asked to participate. The top six teams from each region compete in Palos Verdes (Calif.) on a tough but beautiful golf course overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This is easily one of the most prestigious tournaments in women’s collegiate golf. The Puerto Rico event is a great chance for us to see a lot of Central Region teams and travel to a place that none of us have been." "The schedule is tough and we will have to be on our game at every single event in order to finish in the top 10," Hester continued. "We return four starters and have several more fighting for a top spot with four other returnees and newcomer Lucy Nunn. I know the team is excited about the beefed up schedule and I am confident that we will perform well and continue to raise our level of play throughout the year." Hester and the Lady’Backs are coming off the best season of golf in school history including the team’s first NCAA Championship appearance. Arkansas rewrote the record books behind SEC first-team selection and league freshman of the year Stacy Lewis. Lewis, who also became the program’s first all-American, along with fellow SEC selection and U.S. Women’s Open participant Amanda McCurdy will lead this year’s team. They are joined by returning seniors Lindsey Hinshaw, Courtney Mahon and Sarah Trew, all of whom have extensive collegiate experience. For more information about Arkansas golf log on to LADYBACKS.COM.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS2005-06 LADY RAZORBACK GOLF