Lady'Back linksters have busy spring break

FAYETTEVILLE – A busy spring break week is ahead for the University of Arkansas women’s golf with a pair of events bookending their break from the classroom. Ranked eighth in this week’s National Golf Coaches Association poll, Arkansas opens the week at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Classic in Austin, Texas, March 17-19, and concludes at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic in Athens, Ga., March 21-23. “I told the team that this will be a marathon, not a sprint,” said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. “Both tournaments offer great opportunities for us to win as well as prepare for NCAA Regionals. We will have to be efficient with our practices after the rounds and rest when we have down time. We train in the gym for experiences like these and I feel that we are very fit and up for the challenge.” Arkansas’ senior leader Stacy Lewis again leads the charge for the Lady Razorbacks. The Woodlands, Texas, native is joined by junior Lucy Nunn, sophomores Kristin Ingram and Corinna Rees and freshman Kelli Shean for both events. Lewis, Shean and Nunn have been a steady three for Arkansas with Ingram competing in nearly every event this year as well. But the fifth spot has seen several Lady Razorbacks try to step up and fill the position as Arkansas approaches the postseason. “The fifth spot is still up for grabs,” said Estes-Taylor. “We have several people who can play in that spot and this week it’s Corinna’s turn to see if she can solidify the position. I’m excited to see her play for the first time since regionals last year. She’s been working hard and I’m looking for her to post some counters for us in these two events.” Arkansas opens the week in Austin at the par 72, 6,344 yard Texas Golf Course. The field includes Baylor, No. 5 Florida, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, No. 24 Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, SMU, TCU, Texas and Wisconsin. The Lady’Backs move on to Athens, Ga., facing No. 16 Alabama, No. 6 Auburn, No. 1 Duke, Florida State, Furman, No. 11 Georgia, No. 18 Kent State, Kentucky, LSU, No. 10 Purdue, South Carolina, No. 12 Tennessee, No. 23 Texas A&M, UCF, No. 20 Vanderbilt, No. 25 Virginia and No. 14 Wake Forest. “We talk about winning every time we tee it up,” said Estes-Taylor. “We had two great practices to work on a few things this week and we will go into both events expecting to be in a position to win.” For more information about Arkansas golf, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.