Thursday, March 31, 2005

PIONEERS TO HOST AGNES McAMIS MEMORIAL NEXT WEEK

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum College will host the eighth annual Agnes McAmis Memorial Women's Golf Invitational, April 4-5 at Link Hills Country Club. Of the 17 teams that will be participating in this year's tournament, eight are ranked either in the NCAA Division II or NAIA Top 40.

The host Pioneers are currently ranked 39^th in NCAA II, along with South Atlantic Conference members Catawba College (31^st), Lenoir-Rhyne College (32^nd), Wingate University (37^th) and Newberry College. Lenoir-Rhyne is the two-time defending SAC Champion, while Catawba will feature two-time SAC Player of the Year Paige Haverty.

The University of Central Arkansas, last year's McAmis Memorial Champion, returns to defend its title. UCA's Lisa Olson is also back to defend the medalist crown she captured a year ago. Central Arkansas is ranked No. 5 in the nation.

Seventh-ranked University of West Florida will be making its second trip to Greeneville. The Argonauts finished a stroke behind UCA last year. UWF is led by Sarah Nicholson and Clara Fornella, who shared runner-up honors while finishing one shot behind Olson at last season's event.

In only its second year of competition, Pfeiffer University is ranked No. 18 in the country. The Falcons are making their second trip to Greeneville.

The field also includes Division II squads No. 40 Anderson College, No. 47 Limestone College, No. 49 Ashland University, No. 58 Lincoln Memorial University and No. 64 Queens University of Charlotte, University of Montevallo, St. Andrews Presbyterian College and Florida Gulf Coast University. Berry College, ranked No. 13 in NAIA, will be making its first-ever McAmis Memorial appearance.

The field will also include individual participants representing Mars Hill College, Presbyterian College and King 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. 4) opening round will begin at 9 a.m. on the 5,832 yard, Par 72 layout. Tuesday's (Apr. 5) final round is slated to begin at 8 a.m. Admission to the 36-hole event is free and open to the public.

- TC -