Raven's Nest, SHSU hosts Southland women's golf
4/18/2010 9:15:00 AM | Women's Golf
The Southland Conference Women's Golf Championship tees off Monday at 7:30 a.m. at the Raven Nest Golf Club in Huntsville, Texas, with the winner advancing to the NCAA regionals, May 6-8.
After falling one stroke shy of its first league title in 2009, UTSA returns for the 2010 tournament as the highest ranked Southland team in Golfstat's national standings with a 162-83 head-to-head record. The Roadrunners are led by freshman Paola Valerio with a 76.33 stroke average.
Playing in its own backyard, sophomore Kirsten Spittler leads a Sam Houston State team looking to win its third league title and become the first Southland program to win the conference title on its hometown golf course. Other Sam Houston women's golfers are Shelby Hardy, Landa Stewart, Meghann Stevens, Meghan Musk and Jessica Borth.
Coming off its first league championship in 2009, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi returns with hopes of defending its title and advancing to its second consecutive NCAA tournament. Senior Courtney Peeler is one of two Islander golfers returning from last year's championship team.
Junior Caitlin Bliss leads a Texas State team looking for its third league title and first since 2008.
Other notable golfers to watch in the event are McNeese State seniors Trista Touchette and Huntsville native Lacy McKinley, Central Arkansas senior Rebecca Sorensen and Lamar senior Linda Persson.
McKinley, a second-team all-conference selection in 2009, is the highest returning golfer from last year's event who tied for second place. McKinley and Touchette, who tied for eighth last year, are the only returning duo on the same team to finish in the top 10 of last year's tournament.
Eight Southland universities field a women's golf team: Central Arkansas, Lamar, McNeese State, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, UTSA, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Texas State. In its first season to field a program, Stephen F. Austin is making its initial appearance in the Southland tournament.
Tee times and pairings for Monday morning's first round are:
First Tee
7:30 a.m. - Ashley Thorpe, Lamar - Kirsten Spittler, Sam Houston
7:38 a.m. - Stine Pedersen, Lamar - Meghan Musk, Sam Houston
7:46 a.m. - Lauren Van Gerven, Lamar - Meghann Stevens, Sam Houston
7:54 a.m. - Julie Aime, Lamar - Shelby Hardy, Sam Houston
8:02 a.m. - Linda Persson, Lamar - Landa Stewart, Sam Houston
8:10 a.m. - Valdis Jonsdottir, Texas St. - Bruna Spengler, UTSA
8:18 a.m. - Katinka Dufour, Texas St. - Shannon Jungman, UTSA
8:26 a.m. - Gabby De Reuck, Texas St. - Summer BatisteUTSA
8:34 a.m. - Caitlin Bliss, Texas St. - Paola Valerio, UTSA
8:42 a.m. - Krista Puisite, Texas St. - Shelly Martinez, UTSA
10th Tee
7:30 a.m. - CJ Bobbitt, UCA - Erin Daurity, SFA
7:30 a.m. - Julia Roth, UCA - Allison Flake, SFA
7:46 a.m. - Gemma Hardie, UCA - Noelle Willcoxon, SFA
7:54 a.m. - Sara Hillman, UCA Chelsea Simmons, SFA
8:02 a.m. - Rebecca Sorensen, UCA - Wallis Spears SFA
8:10 a.m. - Megan Reynolds, McNeese - Katie Belser, TAMUCC
8:18 a.m. - Jennifer Herrmann, McNeese - Chelsey Watkins, TAMUCC
8:26 a.m. - Randi Fischer, McNeese - Cecilia Jeon, TAMUCC
8:34 a.m. - Lacy McKinley, McNeese - Ryann White, TAMUCC
8:42 a.m. - Trista Touchette, McNeese - Courtney Peeler, TAMUCC
