By Rob Schabert, Assistant athletic Director for Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- In its final regular season tune-up before the Ohio Valley Conference Championships, the Tennessee Tech women's golf team is in Murray, Ky., Friday and Saturday to play in the 13-team Jan Weaver Invitational, hosted by the MSU Racers on the school’s Miller Memorial Golf Course.
Six OVC schools make up nearly half of the field, and will provide a preview of the upcoming conference tournament. The teams are set to play 36 holes Friday and the final 18 on Saturday.
GOLDEN EAGLE LINEUP: The lineup for coach Polk Brown will feature four regulars plus one freshman making her debut in the team competition in Lindsay Miller (photo above). The Golden Eagle team lineup will include sophomore Allyson Dunn, freshman Hollee Sadler, junior Whitney Robertson, senior Maddi Everts, and freshman Lindsay Miller. Golden Eagles playing as individuals will include senior Megan Williamson, junior Haley Davidson, and sophomore Anna Cunningham.
MILLER TIME: The Jan Weaver Invitational will be played Friday and Saturday at MSU's home course, Miller Memorial Golf Course, in Murray, Ky. After a day for practice, the teams will tackle the Miller Memorial layout with 36 holes of stroke play. The final round will be 18 holes of play Saturday. A shotgun start each day at 8:30 a.m. begins play. Admission is free.
THE COMPETITION: In addition to the host MSU Racers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, the 13-team field includes the Akron Zips, Alabama State Hornets, Austin Peay Lady Govs, Belmont Bruins, Farleigh Dickinson Knights, Morehead State Eagles, Lindenwood Lions, Omaha Mavericks, Southern Illinois Salukis, Tennessee State Tigers, and Xavier Musketeers.
JAN WEAVER: The event is named in honor of the late Jan Weaver who was one of the most loyal supporters of Murray State University and Racer Athletics when she passed away in 2009. Her husband Dick Weaver is still very active in all things Murray.
LAST YEAR AT MURRAY STATE: Whitney Robertson tied for the lead through 54 holes, then took second place individually after losing in a playoff for medalist honors last year at Murray State. Megan Williamson tied for fifth as the two veterans paced the Golden Eagles. Despite those two solid efforts, Tech finished eighth overall in the 11-team field as Cincinnati captured the team title.
THOUGHTS FROM COACH BROWN: "The girls have really done a great job of building a lot or confidence and momentum over the last two events in Sevierville and Richmond. We look to continue this late season push at Murray State where we have had some success in the past. This is the last event before OVC, so we look to finish the regular season out strong as we gear towards Hampton Cove in the very near future. We are looking forward to the challenge at Miller Memorial.”
LAST TIME OUT: Sophomore Allyson Dunn initialed the lowest score of the tournament and finished second to earn all-tournament honors as Tennessee Tech claimed third place among 12 teams at the EKU Colonel Classic. Freshman Hollee Sadler tied for 14th place at 234 and junior Whitney Robertson tied for 36th place at 242. Freshman Lindsay Miller closed with an 83 to finish 40th at 243, while senior Maddi Everts shot an 84 Saturday to finish 45th at 245.
WEATHER FORECAST: The weatherman says the Jan Weaver Invitational should go off with no problems with wet weather. After a predicted overnight low of 41 Thursday night, the competitors face a 10 percent chance of rain and a high of 59 on Friday. Winds will pick up and blow from the northwest at 15 to 25 mph. On Saturday, the final round will see little chance of rain and a high of 51. Winds will calm to 10 to 15 mph.
