Women's Golf Heads To Mercedes-Benz Championship
10/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Oct. 17, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich.- The Michigan State women's golf team will be heading south for the weekend, (October 19-21) as they participate in the seventh annual Mercedes-Benz Championship in Knoxville, Tenn. Played at the University of Tennessee's Fox Den Country Club, the tournament spans three days, with each day featuring one 18 hole round of play. The Championship showcases 16 of the nation's premiere golf programs, along with the Swedish Junior National squad in head-to-head action.
The event kicks off with first round action on Sunday morning (October 19), with teams teeing off between 8:30-10 a.m. Michigan State is currently scheduled as the first team to tee off in the 10 a.m. round. The day's festivities will conclude with the Legend's Banquet, a dinner and program that will honor two individuals who have made an exceptional impact on women's golf in the U.S.
Second-round action begins on Monday (October 20) with tee times ranging from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The third round of play will take place on Tuesday, October 21, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Closing ceremonies and award presentations are scheduled to follow the conclusion of day three's action.
Teams scheduled to compete in the Mercedes-Benz Championship include: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kent State, Louisiana State, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Purdue, South Carolina, Tennessee, Tulane, Las Vegas, Virginia and the Swedish Junior National Team.
Looking to improve on their eighth-place finish at the Mercedes-Benz in 2002, the Spartans head to Knoxville for their final event of the fall season with confidence. Finishing in the top three of each of their three previous events this season has placed the team in good position, one that they plan to improve on as they set their sights to the south.
Having each finished tied for eighth place in Michigan State's previous tournament, the Lady Northern Invitational (Sept. 28-29), seniors Allison Fouch (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Sarah Martin (Grosse Isle, Mich.), along with sophomore Dayna Burleigh (Horsham, Pa.) each look forward to having strong outings at Tennessee.
Fouch has begun her senior season strongly, taking medalist honors at both of MSU's first two tournaments (the Badger Invitational and Mary Fossum Invitational). Martin finished in the top 10 in each of the last three events. Golfweek/Sangrin Index ranks both players in the top 10 in the nation. Burleigh has finished in the top 10 in both of the last two tournaments, and finished 14th in her first outing of the year.
Rounding out the Spartan lineup are freshmen Heather Rose (Chillicothe, Ohio) and Mandi McConnell (Grand Blanc, Mich.). Rose finished in sixth place at the Lady Northern Invitational, leading the way for the rest of the squad. McConnell will be playing in her first-ever collegiate tournament outside of East Lansing. In her only previous action of the season, she finished tied for 38th at the Mary Fossum Invitational, held at Forest Akers, the Spartans' home course.
