Tubert, Shean lead team to SECs

AUBURN, Ala. – University of Arkansas freshman Emily Tubert and senior Kelli Shean lead the No. 12 Razorbacks into action at the 2011 Southeastern Conference Championship in Auburn, Ala., this weekend.

The duo have paced Arkansas all season with Tubert picking up three collegiate wins and Shean ranking second for the team in stroke average.

"We are excited to tee it up for SECs," Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor said. "Everyone’s game is exactly where we want it to be. We are fundamentally and mentally in a good spot to contend for a championship."

In addition to Tubert and Shean senior Corinna Rees, sophomore Victoria Vela and redshirt freshman Emma Lavy will also make the trip.

"We have good depth this year," Estes-Taylor said. "We have players who can go low and this is exactly the kind of lineup that can win championships. I think we can go out and do some special things in the postseason."

This year’s SEC Championship takes place at the Auburn University Club at Yarbrough Farms. The 18-hole, 7,326-yard championship course is on 225 acres surrounding the 25-acre Yarbrough Lake. It has a course rating of 75.3 and a slope rating of 138 on Bermuda grass. This week’s event will play 6,364 yards (3258 on the front nine and 3106 on the back nine).

As has been the trend this year, Arkansas faces a championship-caliber field. All 12 SEC members will compete for the title. That includes No. 3 Alabama, No. 8 LSU, No. 11 Georgia, No. 12 Arkansas, No. 14 Tennessee, No. 17 Auburn, No. 21 Vanderbilt, No. 26 Florida, No. 37 South Carolina, No. 41 Ole Miss, No. 54 Kentucky and No. 96 Mississippi State.

The Razorbacks move on to the NCAA Regional Championships following SECs. This year’s hosts include Stetson University and the Central Florida Sports Commission from the East; Notre Dame from the Central and Washington from the West.