Sept. 20, 2003

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Samford Women's Golf Team opens the 2003 Fall Season with a trip to Tuscaloosa, Ala. for the UA-Ann Rhoads Intercollegiate. The first round begins tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. and continues until Tuesday. The tournament will be played at the Capstone Club of Alabama, a 6,128 yard course on the campus of the University of Alabama.

"It is hard to say what to expect from this first tournament," Head Coach Ian Thompson said. "There are a few Southeastern Conference teams in the tournament and we expect tough competition from every team in the event. I am honored that the University of Alabama would extend an invitation to play in such a prestigious event to start off the season."

Samford will be led by a pair of juniors, Kelly Villarreal and Tricia Harlow, both looking to build on their success from last season. Joining Villarreal and Harlow for the Bulldogs will be sophomore Kelly Stout and freshmen Jaime Hampton and Ashleigh Hicks. Samford will be playing on one of the finest golf courses in the Southeast.

"The two juniors, Kelly and Tricia, are the leaders of our team and will have to play well for us to be successful," Thompson said. "The Capstone Club is a very nice course and is different than any other one we will see all year. It will be a difficult test for us and we look forward to the challenge and hope that we can get a good foot forward to start the season."

The tournament will feature 11 other teams and one Ohio Valley Conference school, Jacksonville State. Joining the Samford and Jacksonville State are: Alabama, UAB, Augusta State, Birmingham-Southern, Florida State, LSU, Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State and Troy State.