April 17, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University women's golf team will begin play in the 2010 Southern Conference Championship Sunday at 7 a.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs look to make waves in the 11-team event being held at the immaculate Moss Creek Golf Club's North Course in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

This is the second straight year that Moss Creek has hosted the SoCon Championship, as Furman won its 13th league title in 16 seasons a year ago. The Paladins topped second place Chattanooga by 22 strokes at the par 72, 6,050-yard course, led by Stefanie Kenoyer who won her second conference tournament in as many years. The junior will look to become the first-ever three-time SoCon champion at this year's event.

Chattanooga, which placed second a year ago, should again provide stiff competition against Furman. The Lady Mocs are led by junior Emma de Groot, who is coming off an individual title at the Sun Trust Gator Women's Invitational at the University of Florida last weekend.

Chattanooga (38) and Furman (45) are both ranked in the top 50 nationally according to Golfstat, while College of Charleston (70), UNC Greensboro (75), Western Carolina (86) and Elon (93) all boast top 100 rankings.

Other participating teams are Appalachian State, The Citadel, Samford and Wofford. Samford, in only its second year in the prestigious conference, boasts three highly talented seniors in its starting lineup. At this season's three-day competition, the Bulldogs will be led by seniors Heather Arnold, Sara Hunt and Katelyn Stanier.

Samford's 2010 roster also includes sophomore Sarah Butts and true freshmen Anna Heim and Kayla Turner.

The winner of the SoCon Championship will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The tournament tees off at 7 a.m. (CDT) Sunday morning, and fans can follow the live action at www.golfstatresults.com.