March 15, 2008
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The 23rd-ranked New Mexico women’s golf team will travel to Austin, Texas on March 17-19 to participate in the 2008 Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational. The Lobos are one of 17 teams competing in the 54-hole event held at the par 72, 6,344 yard University of Texas Golf Club. UNM is one of three teams ranked nationally heading into play on Monday. The Texas Golf Club is the central regional site this May.
The Facts:
Site: University of Texas Golf Club
Date: March 17 – 19
Format: 54 holes, 18 each day
Host School: University of Texas
Course: 6,344 yards, Par 72
2007 Team Champion: Purdue, 307-308-292=907 (+43)
2007 Medalist: Maria Hernandez (Purdue), 77-70-70=217 (+1)
2008 Field: Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, SMU, TCU, Texas, Wisconsin
Results: Live scoring will be available via Golfstat (www.Golfstat.com)
Lobo Golf Notes –
The Lineup … The Lobos will go with the same lineup in the Betsy Rawls Invitational as the UCF Challenge. UNM will travel senior Alexandra Phelps, junior Mikaela Backstedt, junior Morgan Grantham, sophomore Jodi Ewart and sophomore Britney Choy.
On The Horizon … The next tournament UNM will participate in will be the PING/Arizona State Invitational on April 4-6 in Tempe, Ariz. The Lobos are scheduled to play at the par 72, 6,230 yard Karsten Golf Course. Also, UNM will host the Mountain West Conference Championships from April 17-19 in Albuquerque at the Championship Golf Course.
UCF Challenge Review … New Mexico women’s golf just completed its second tournament of the spring last week at the UCF Challenge in Orlando, Fla. The Lobos finished 17th after shooting an 38-over par 902 in the 54-hole event held at the par 72, 6,356-yard Red Tail Golf Course. Sophomore Jodi Ewart led the Lobos, finishing in a tie for 47th with a 7-over 223. She finished the final round at 1-over par 73. Senior Alexandra Phelps tied for 52nd, shooting an 8-over 224. Junior Morgan Grantham finished with a 12-over par 228. Junior Mikaela Backstedt posted UNM’s best round on the day, firing an even-par 72 with four birdies. Backstedt finished the tournament tied for 72nd at 13-over par 229. Sophomore Britney Choy finished the final round with a 4-over par 76, and was 16-over 232 for the tournament.
Ewart Named To The Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup Team … New Mexico sophomore Jodi Ewart has been selected as a member of the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup Team. Ewart, who is currently ranked 18th nationally, becomes the first Lobo to play in the event since Caroline Keggi competed in 1988. Ewart is one of eight elite players honored who will play The Old Course, St Andrews from Friday, May 30 – Sunday, June 1.
Lobo Women’s Golf Finishes Seventh At Wildcat Invitational … New Mexico women’s golf placed seventh at the Wildcat Invitational Wednesday after shooting 55-over par during the three-day event. The Lobos carded an 18-over par during the final round at the par 71, 6,166 yard Arizona National Golf Course. Sophomore Jodi Ewart and senior Alexandra Phelps highlighted the tournament for New Mexico after tying for 12th place individually. Phelps shot a 2-over par 73 in the final round and finished the event 10-over par for the tournament. Ewart also shot 10-over par after 54-holes and fired a 5-over par 76 Wednesday. Sophomore Britney Choy, who was competing for the first time this season, shot a team-low 1-over par 72 on the final day and tied for 24th individually. Choy carded rounds of 77-78-72 for a total score of 227. Junior Morgan Grantham shot 10-over par Wednesday and tied for 55th during the event. Grantham was 23-over par and had a final score of 236. Juniors Mikaela Backstedt and Py Bengtsson tied for 70th after shooting 32-over par. Backstedt shot a 16-over par in the finals, while Bengtsson fired a 13-over par 84.