April 27, 2009

Greenville, S.C. -- The Furman women’s golf team will take part in the NCAA East Regional at the University of Florida’s Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Fla., May 7-9, it was announced on Monday by the NCAA Division I Golf Committee.

The Paladins are part of a 21-team East Regional field that will battle for a top eight finish and a berth in the 24-team NCAA Championship which is set to be held May 19-22, at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Md. The East Regional field includes seven of the top 15 teams and 10 of the top 30 teams in the country led by fifth-ranked Virginia, No. 7 Auburn, No. 8 Alabama, No. 11 North Carolina and No. 12 Duke.

Furman, who secured the Southern Conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by capturing its 13th SoCon Championship last week at Moss Creek Golf Club in Hilton Head, S.C., will make its 17th straight NCAA Regional appearance. The automatic bid continues Furman’s streak of having never missed the NCAA Division I women’s golf postseason since the regional format began in 1993.

Furman, ranked 42nd in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index, claimed an eighth place finish at last year’s NCAA East Regional in Athens, Ga., to advance to the NCAA Championship in Albuquerque, N.M. In 2007, Furman tied for 11th place at the East Regional at the University Club in Baton Rouge, La.

The Paladins’ lineup will include two-time defending SoCon individual medalist Stefanie Kenoyer who finished at seven-over 223 to capture the SoCon title. The 2007 SoCon champion Blair Lamb, All-SoCon pick Jackie Hilea and freshmen Liz Wendt and Brie Heinzler will round out the Paladin lineup.

Teams:

1.      Virginia

2.      Auburn (Southeastern Conference)

3.      Alabama

4.      North Carolina

5.      Duke

6.      Denver (Sun Belt Conference)

7.      Tennessee

8.      Vanderbilt

9.      Georgia

10.    Tulane (Conference USA)

11.    Florida

12.    East Carolina

13.    Mississippi

14.    South Carolina

15.    Furman (Southern Conference)

16.    Charleston

17.    Florida State

18.    Central Florida

19.    Coastal Carolina (Big South Conference)

20.    Stetson (Atlantic Sun Conference)

21.    Jackson State (Southwestern Athletic Conference)  

Individuals:

1.      Susannah Aboff, Princeton

2.      Julia Potter, Missouri

3.      Jessica Hollandsworth, Maryland