April 3, 2011

PINEHURST, N.C. - The Samford University women's golf team will look to continue its stellar play in the 2011 spring season this week as the Bulldogs get ready to compete in the talent-laden Pinehurst Challenge being hosted by the College of Charleston on Monday and Tuesday at the prestigious Pinehurst No. 6 Golf Course.

Following back-to-back first-place finishes to open its spring season, Samford nearly registered its third straight championship title on March 21 as the Bulldogs finished second at the 2011 Low Country Intercollegiate hosted by Wofford University at the Moss Creek Golf Club.

At the Low Country Intercollegiate, Samford finished the tournament with three players listed among the top 10. Junior Sarah Butts fired a team-best score of 74 in the final round to close out the event with a two-day total of 154 (80-74). Butts earned a fourth-place finish in the competition, while teammate Anna Heim placed fifth just a stroke behind at 155 (74-81).

The Bulldogs' true freshman Natalie Mitchell turned in a final score of 158 (82-76) to finish tied for eighth place, while Kayla Turner earned a 14th-place finish in the individual standings with a 36-hole mark of 160 (82-78). Samford's Alex Jasper rounded out the team's scoring with a two-round 170 (80-90).

This week, Samford is among a 14-team tournament field which includes seven top-100 teams in Appalachian State, No. 79 Campbell, The Citadel, High Point, No. 93 Jacksonville State, No. 38 Minnesota, No. 85 Morehead State, No. 97 College of Charleston, South Alabama, South Carolina State, No. 95 Toledo, Winthrop and No. 77 Western Carolina in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings.

No. 6 is a par-72, 5,992-yard, Tom Fazio-designed course among the championship golf set at Pinehurst.

Tournament play begins with 36 holes Monday, followed by the final round of 18 holes Tuesday.