McCurdy competes at The Spirit

FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas senior Amanda McCurdy was selected for the 2005 Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship and begins competition at Whispering Pines Golf Club near Trinity, Texas, Tuesday. McCurdy, one of the highest profile golfers on the Lady Razorbacks team, has competed in several prestigious events highlighted by the U.S. Women’s Open where she tied for 68th overall last summer at Cherry Hills Country Club. "This is a great honor for Amanda," said Arkansas head coach Kelley Hester. "She has worked so hard to reach her goals and being selected for this event is a testament of the type of golf she’s capable of playing. We wish her the best of luck." The three-day event features four-player teams from 24 countries with McCurdy representing the United States. Her teammates include Sam Saunders and Jamie Lovemark on the men’s side along with McCurdy and University of Washington all-American Paige Mackenzie on the women’s side. The inaugural event took place in 2001 and The Spirit is a biennial event with teams earning an invitation to compete. This year’s event features teams from Argentina, England, Mexico, Scotland, Australia, Finland, Netherlands, South Africa, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, Canada, Greece, Philippines, Switzerland, Chile, Italy, Puerto Rico, United States of America, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Russian Federation and Wales. Format of play for The Spirit is 72 holes of four ball stroke play competition with the combined men and women teams’ four ball score used to determine the International Team Champion. The top three places are awarded medals similar to the Olympics. McCurdy is slated for a busy week. The El Dorado, Ark., native competes in The Spirit Tuesday-Thursday before returning home to help her second-ranked Lady Razorbacks host their only event of the year, the Tyson/Embassy Suites Invitational, Oct. 16-18. The Tyson/Embassy Suites Invitational takes place at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark. This year’s field features 16 teams several of whom are ranked in the top 50 in the country. The Tyson/Embassy Suites Invitational is open to the public. For more information about Arkansas golf, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.