Arkansas Golf Fact Sheet #7

Arkansas Golf Fact Sheet #7-UCF Invitational2007 UCF InvitationalThe University of Arkansas golf team returns to the Sunshine State for the second tournament in a row taking part in the University of Central Florida Invitational. This event takes place at the Grand Cypress Resort and is a 54 hole, two-day event.
The UCF FieldAs the name suggests, the team’s in the field are from the Central District and this event is a change for many to get outside for the first time this season.
The FieldFourteen teams are slated to attend the UCF Invitational this week. Top-ranked Georgia headlines the strong field. Number three Pepperdine, No. 4 Duke and No. 6 Vanderbilt round out the top 10 teams. Also competing is No. 12 Purdue, No. 16 New Mexico, No. 19 Florida, No. 23 Arkansas, No. 26 LSU, No. 27 Ohio State, No. 34 Alabama, No. 43 SMU, No. 71 Miami and No. 84 UCF.
A Very SEC FeelArkansas is competing at the UCF Invitational for the first time in program history but seeing several teams that the Lady Razorbacks are familiar with. In fact, this event will serve as a bit of a Southeastern Conference Championship preview with six of the 12 league teams competing. Arkansas has also faced Duke, Ohio State, Purdue and SMU already this year.
Lewis Earns ExemptionJunior Lady Razorback Stacy Lewis earned an exemption to play in the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship March 26-April 1 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The event takes place at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club. This is Lewis’ second LPGA event. She participated in the Owens Corning Jamie Farr Classic in Ohio in the summer of 2006.
Exemption Part IITournament officials for the Sybase Classic have announced that a sponsor’s exemption will be offered to the individual winner of the UCF Challenge hosted by the University of Central Florida. This agreement will allow a top NCAA female golfer the opportunity to participate in the LPGA Tour event. The Tournament enters 2007 with an increased purse of $1.4 million and a new host venue, Upper Montclair Country Club. The LPGA Tour returns to the New York metro area May 14 – 20.
A new player for the Lady’BacksThe Lady Razorbacks welcome the addition of freshman transfer Kristin Ingrim to the 2006-07 roster. Ingram committed to Arkansas for the fall semester but her circumstances changed and she walked on at UNLV. Ingram’s situation again changed and she has joined Arkansas for the spring semester. She played in four fall events at UNLV with a 77.5 stroke average.
Lewy gets the job doneArkansas junior Stacy Lewis has been the Lady’Backs’ top finisher in all four fall events and tied for medalist honors at the Peg Barnard Invitational in October. Sophomore Lucy Nunn has finished second in three of four events while Alex Schulte has been third twice and fourth twice.
Lewis named Golfweek Amateur of the YearJunior Stacy Lewis earned Golfweek Amateur of the Year honors it was recently announced.An annual award that dates back to 1988 when Golfweek began its national amateur rankings, Lewis becomes the first Lady Razorback to ever win the award. The Woodlands, Texas, native spent much of the 2006 summer as the top-ranked amateur in the country with several big wins under her belt.Lewis’ amateur accomplishments included a stroke-play victory at the Harder Hall Invitational in January, a runner-up finish at the Southern Amateur, the Western Amateur title and semifinal finishes at both the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the North and South.Lewis’ college career has also been stellar with back-to-back all-America, all-Southeastern Conference and academic all-America honors. She was the 2005 SEC Championship medalist setting a course record at Tunica National.
Best Finish of the YearArkansas finished fourth at the Mercedes Benz Collegiate Classic was the best of the year and their team score of 894 was also a then-season best. In fact, the 894 team total ranks tied for eighth all-time for lowest Lady’Back scores. Arkansas bettered that with an 886 in the very next outing at the Peg Barnard Invitational.
Who’s making the trip?Qualifying is still going on as we speak. The traveling five should be set by the end of practice today (Tuesday, Feb. 27). Stay turned for more updates.
Frequent Flyer miles to the Sunshine StateArkansas should ask for frequent flyer miles to Florida. The trip to Florida for the NCAA Preview was the first of five trips to the Sunshine State. Arkansas also travels to the Hooters Match Play Championship (Orlando), the Central District Invitational (Parrish), the UCF Invitational (Grand Cypress) and the NCAA Championship (Daytona Beach).