KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — From one tough tournament to another is the motto of the LSU women’s golf team as the Lady Tigers returns to action in the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Women’s Collegiate Championship at the Gettysvue Polo, Golf and Country Club.
The three-day event with 14 teams begins on Friday morning and the 54-hole tournament is scheduled to run through Sunday.
Some rain and wind are in the forecast which will make this hilly venue an even tougher test for the teams as they go around the 5,985-yard, par-72 course.
Duke is the defending champion, having won the event three of the last four years. Joining Duke, host Tennessee and LSU in the field are Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Furman, Georgia, Memphis, Michigan State, Nevada, Northwestern, Purdue and South Carolina.
The Tigers are coming off a good sixth-place finish in the 24-team rain-shortened NCAA Fall Preview in Auburn, Wash., at the end of September.
That may be a confidence booster to the Tiger lineup that is looking for support from the bottom of its lineup.
“I was very pleased with what happened for us in the Preview,” said LSU coach Karen Bahnsen. “Even more impressive was the move we were making when the final day was rained out. Everyone was on their game and I think we left there feeling confident of what we are doing. This is a course here in Knoxville that will test your patience and we’ve got to just keep moving forward playing each hole without worrying what has happened earlier in the round.”
LSU will go with its same lineup from Washington of Shreveport senior and U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion Meredith Duncan, Brazilian sophomore Isabell Dornellas, Gretna senior Lindy Hitdlebaugh, Dallas freshman Brooke Shelton and Greer, S.C., sophomore Devon Day. Duncan finished in a tie for fourth after 36 holes in 1-over 145, while Dornellas has recorded her career best finish, tying for 14th in both fall events this year.
LSU has one fall event remaining after the Mercedes-Benz, taking part in the Furman Lady Paladin Oct. 25-27.