Tubert, Shean lead Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE – Senior Kelli Shean and freshman Emily Tubert led the No. 15University of Arkansas women’s golf team on the links this weekend taking part in the Mercedes Benz Collegiate Classic in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tubert won her collegiate debut at Oklahoma with Shean a close second helping the Razorbacks to the team title.

The duo leads the rest of the team into a tougher battle at Holston Hills Country Club beginning Friday.

"The Mercedes Benz has been a bit of a staple for me," said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. "I’ve played in it as a player and coached in it as an assistant and head coach. It’s a great event and it’s taking place at a new course this year. That means we have to get the most out of our practice round and prepare well. We need to take good notes and be ready to go."

Tubert, a Burbank, Calif., native, opened her career last week with a five-under 211 in a come-from-behind win. Shean posted a 213 after flirting with the top of the leaderboard throughout the event.

It is the first time in program history Arkansas has gone one-two in an event.

"They’re great," Estes-Taylor said. "They are so fun to watch at practice. The both do some amazing things with a golf ball. They challenge each other every day and that keeps them hungry."

Sophomore Victoria Vela counted a 225 followed by senior Corinna Rees at 226 and redshirt freshman Emma Lavy shot 228 in her first collegiate event. All three will travel again this weekend.

In addition, Estes-Taylor is traveling redshirt freshman Rachel Carpenter for her first collegiate event.

"This is a great team to be around," Estes-Taylor said. "They push each other and it creates a vibe of ‘gotta get out and work hard’ every day in practice. Our chemistry is great and each week I’m excited to see what we can do."

The Mercedes Benz Classic is an 15-team event this year. In addition to host Tennessee and the Razorbacks, the other teams that are scheduled to compete include UT-Chattanooga, Georgia State, Furman, Kentucky, Texas-San Antonio, East Tennessee State, Notre Dame, UNC-Greensboro, James Madison, Coastal Carolina, Texas Christian, Kent State and Ole Miss.

Live stats for the event can be viewed on-line at golfstat.com. For more information regarding Razorback women’s golf or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.