No. 27 Lady'Backs travel to Mercedes Benz Collegiate Classic Friday

FAYETTEVILLE — The 27th-ranked University of Arkansas women’s golf team returns to the links this weekend at the Mercedes Benz Collegiate Classic in Franklin, Tenn. The Lady Razorbacks have two events under their belts and are anxious to get back to the links after a two-week break from competition. "This is always a really good field," said Arkansas head coach Kelley Hester. "Historically, we play well at this event and it will be good to see how we measure up against some teams in the Central Region." Arkansas gets a bit of a sneak peak at some of the other Southeastern Conference schools this week facing four other league teams. The Lady’Backs compete against No. 39 Alabama, No. 17 Auburn, No. 23 Florida and top-ranked Georgia in the 15-team field. Georgia enters the weekend as the top-ranked team according to Golfstat. Arkansas also fac­es No. 11 Michigan State, No. 13 Northwestern, No. 14 Michigan, 17 Auburn and No. 21 North Carolina in the talented field. The other teams include No. 33 Furman, No. 30 Kent State, No. 14 Michigan, No. 11 Michigan State, No. 21 North Carolina, No. 13 Northwestern, No. 75 Penn State, No. 31 Southern Methodist, No. 14 and host Tennessee and the Swedish Junior National Team. "A lot of the teams are ranked ahead of us but they haven’t faced the type of schedule we have," said Hester. I think we can make a move in the rankings if we play well this week." Last year, the Lady Razorbacks managed a third-place showing against a very talented field. Then-senior Amanda McCurdy won the tournament carding a 213 with a final round 69 for the Lady’Backs. Stacy Lewis finished tied for seventh. Lewis, The Woodlands, Texas, native, returns as a junior leading Arkansas again this weekend. She had a very busy summer golf schedule but has started the season with some good numbers for Arkansas. "We were able to rest Stacy a little over the last two weeks," said Hester. "She’s anxious to get back on the course and have a good finish. As a team, we’ve really worked a lot on our consistency in practice. Overall, I’m pleased with the top four and I keep waiting for someone to step up and fill that fifth spot." Arkansas has a chance to travel six players to this event. In addition to Lewis, the Lady’Backs will count scores from junior Ashley Medders, sophomore Lucy Nunn and freshman Alex Schulte. Freshmen Corinna Rees and Tanica van As will go down to the wire for the fifth spot with one of them competing as an individual. The final selection will be made at the start of the event. Arkansas has just two fall events remaining, traveling first to the Peg Barnard Invitational Oct. 20-22 in Palo Alto, Calif. They follow up with the Hooters Match Play Championship Nov. 3-5, in Orlando, Fla. For more information about Arkansas golf, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.