Lady'Backs excited about home invitational

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Arkansas women’s golf team returns to the links Sunday hosting the Lady Razorback Invitational at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark., Sunday-Tuesday. This year marks the seventh consecutive season for the Invitational at the par-72, 6,105-yard course. Arkansas has won three of the six previous homes events and enters the weekend having won the last two home invitationals. “We’re very excited to be at home,” said head coach Kelley Hester. “Golf isn’t like most other teams who have several chances to play in front of the home crowd. We have one chance and we want to defend our home course but we know we’re going to have to play very well to do that.” Arkansas’s starting five has been a revolving door in the first three events of the fall. This week, the Lady’Backs send freshman Stacy Lewis in as the team’s top seed. She is followed by Hot Springs, Ark., native Gena Johnson and El Dorado, Ark., native Amanda McCurdy in the two and three spots. Juniors Courtney Mahon and Lindsey Hinshaw round out the starting five. Junior Sarah Trew, senior Lina Axelsson and freshman Ashley Meddars will be competing as individuals for the Lady’Backs this weekend. “I’m really expecting big things from several players,” said Hester. “Stacy has been playing so well in her first season of collegiate golf. It’s really amazing considering what she was doing a year ago.” Lewis redshirted last season after having back surgery prior to coming to school. All of last season was spent rehabilitating her injury and working on her short game. “She spent the first six months putting and chipping and that shows out on the course. She has a very solid game overall and is strong in the short game.” Johnson is coming off a good weekend at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship finishing tied for 16th overall with a 223 while McCurdy has consistently been one of Arkansas’ top finishers. The Lady’Backs face a talented field with teams from the Central Region and the Southeastern Conference scheduled to attend. Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Notre Dame, Western Michigan and Wisconsin are all making their inaugural appearance while Arkansas and Oral Roberts are participating for the seventh straight time. Also competing is Augusta State, Illinois State, Iowa State, Mississippi, Nebraska, Southern Mississippi, Southwest Missouri State and Texas El Paso. The Lady Razorback Invitational is the final fall event for Arkansas. Admission to Pinnacle Country Club is free. For more information about Arkansas golf log on to www.ladybacks.com.