Thursday, March 30, 2006

PIONEERS TO HOST AGNES McAMIS MEMORIAL NEXT WEEK

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum College will host the ninth annual Agnes McAmis Memorial Women's Golf Invitational, April 3-4 at Link Hills Country Club. Of the 21 teams that will be participating in this year's tournament, nine are ranked either in the NCAA Division II or NAIA Top 50.

The University of Central Arkansas, returns to Greeneville looking to become the second team to win the McAmis Memorial three consecutive years. UCA won last year's event shooting a tournament record 615. Host Tusculum is the only team to win three McAmis Memorials in a row, claiming the event's first three titles (1998, 1999, 2000). Central Arkansas is ranked No. 14 in NCAA II.

The host Pioneers are currently ranked 52^nd in NCAA II, along with South Atlantic Conference members Catawba College (28^th), Wingate University (28^th), Lenoir-Rhyne College (47^th), Newberry College and Mars Hill College. Catawba is the defending SAC Champion, featuring three-time SAC Player of the Year Paige Haverty. Haverty comes to Greeneville fresh off claiming medalist honors at the Lady Bulldog Invitational last week.

Pfeiffer University is ranked No. 24 in the country as the Falcons captured the team title at the Lady Bulldog Invitational. Pfeiffer is making its third trip to Greeneville.

The field also includes Division II squads University of Montevallo, USC Upstate, Belmont Abbey College, Ashland University, Limestone College (No. 45), University of West Georgia (No. 30) and Anderson University (No. 43). Berry College, ranked No. 7 in NAIA, will be making its second consecutive McAmis Memorial appearance, while in-state opponent King College will be making the short trip from Bristol.

The field will also include individual participants representing, Presbyterian College, Lincoln Memorial University and St. Andrews Presbyterian College.

Tusculum College has won the McAmis Memorial three times with its last title coming in 2000. Lenoir-Rhyne won the event two years ago in 2002, while Lincoln Memorial won the title in 2001.

Monday's (Apr. 3) opening round will begin at 9 a.m. on the 5,832 yard, Par 72 layout. Tuesday's (Apr. 4) final round is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m. Admission to the 36-hole event is free and open to the public.

- TC -