Lady'Backs Finish Fifth At SEC Championship

Jump tofinal agate FRANKLIN,TENNESSEE – The 9th ranked Lady Razorback golf team improved their scores and position duirng the final round of the 2006 SEC Women’s Golf Championship to finish in fifth place. As a team the Lady’Backs shot their best score of the tournament, an 8-over par 296 during Sunday’s final round, the only team to finish in the top 10 to improve their score each round. “Well, I thought we came close to playing a great round of golf today. I can’t say enough about Lindsey Hinshaw coming in with a 72 (even par), very impressive. “, said Arkansas head coach Kelley Hester. “We were very close to posting a good number today. Overall, I’m very proud of our team’s effort. I think we have some good energy going into regionals.” Senior Amanda McCurdy was the top Lady Razorback finishing tied for 18th at 8-over par, her best SEC Championship showing, following a final round one-over 73. “Well, I really wanted to play well today because I played really well yesterday but I just could not putt well at all.”, said the El Dorado native. “ I worked on it last night and then came out here and made some putts that I needed to but I just didn’t hit the ball as well as I needed to but I guess that’s just golf.” Senior Lindsey Hinshaw carded Arkansas’ low round of the day and tournament, a final round even-par 72 that featured 3 birdies and 3 bogeys. “I putted a lot better today.”, remarked Hinshaw. “I started off with two bogeys but I just kind of held it together thanks to three birdies. I just focused a lot better today.” Hinshaw finished the tournament in a tie for 21st place, her best finish this season. Senior Stacy Lewis, who was hindered by four 3-putt greens on the front nine, turned the back nine in even par to finish with a 4-over 76. Lewis, the defending SEC Champion, finished in a tie for 21st at 9-over par. Senior Courtney Mahon closed with a 3-over par 75 to finish tied for 30th. Sophomore Ashley Medders’ final round 4-over par 76 was marred by a quadruple bogey 7 on the par 3 16th hole after her tee shot found the water beside the green, the result of a loud gallery outburst on the 15th hole that erupted during the downswing of her tee shot. At that point Medders was even par for the round after 3 birdies negated a double-bogey, bogey start. Medders finished the tournament tied for 38th. Fifth-ranked Auburn won the Championship for the second straight year with an 11-over 875. The Tigers avoided a playoff with as Maria Martinez, playing in the final group, sank a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. Martinez also won the individual title finishing 5-under par for the Championship, Blustery winds swirling around the 6,217-yard par 72 Ironhorse Course at Vanderbilt Legends Club proved both a help and hindrance to the golfers which at times forced a change in club selection by 2 to 3 clubs. Amazingly, two golfers broke 70 during the final round including a tournament best 4 under 68 by LSU’s Melissa Eaton which included six birdies. The Lady Razorbacks will now await the announcement of the three NCAA Women’s Golf Championships field which will be held May 11-13. For more information on Lady Razorback golf, visit the Lady Razorbacks’ official web site www.ladybacks.com.

Download: SEC Scores Day 3.pdf