Texas Tech University Athletics
Women's Golf Heads to NCAA West Regional
May 09, 2000 | Women's Golf
May 9, 2000
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech leaves for Tempe, Ariz., this afternoon to compete in the NCAA West Regional Women's Golf Championships. The top 11 teams in the 24-team regional will advance to the NCAA National Championships in Sunriver, Ore., May 24-27. The West Regional, hosted by Arizona State, will be played at Karsten Golf Course (par 72, 6,131 yards).
"It is always a privilege to represent Texas Tech in an NCAA Tournament," Texas Tech Director of Golf Jeff Mitchell said. "The team is very excited about playing into the national championship. We have been improving during the semester and are peaking at the right time. Everyone has had a little time to rest their golf muscles with finals, so physically, at least they should be recharged."
The tournament field is no stranger to the Red Raiders. Texas Tech has faced 22 of the other 23 teams in the field at least once this season. Of 10 tournaments this season, the Red Raiders have faced Oklahoma seven times, the most of any in the field.
Jamie Vannoy (Sandy, Ore.) will lead the team into regional play. The senior leads the team with a 76.6 stroke per round average and set the school record for a 54-hole tournament with a 218 at the Utah-Dixie Classic in April. Stephanie Dukes (N. Richland Hills, Texas) and Jennifer Newhouse (Bryan, Texas) average 78.2 and 78.7 strokes, respectively. Priscillia Hunt (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Melanie Hunt (Phoenix, Ariz.) will be playing at home for the first time in their careers. Priscillia is Tech's No. 3 player, behind Dukes, and averages 78.5 strokes. She is coming off of a fourth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships late last month. Melanie is averaging 78.6 strokes.
"Jamie is looking for a little redemption after the Big 12 Championships," Mitchell said, referring to Vannoy's tie for 25th place at the Big 12 tourney. "Priscillia and Melanie are looking forward to playing in their hometown. And, I know Stephanie and Jennifer are excited to put a strong finish on the season."
Texas Tech will have to play near-perfect golf against this year's field to vie for a spot in the national finals. Fifteen of the 24 teams in the West Regional are ranked in the top 25, while each of the 24 are ranked among the top 50. No. 1 Arizona leads six teams ranked in the top 10. Texas Tech is 35th heading into the event.
"We are going to have to putt and chip the ball very well to extend the season," Mitchell said. "Those have been the only things holding us back all year. Not many teams hit the ball better, tee to green, than we do."
TOURNAMENT FIELD Arizona Arizona State Baylor Brigham Young California Missouri Nebraska New Mexico New Mexico State Oklahoma Oklahoma State Oregon Oregon State Pepperdine San Jose State Southern California Stanford Texas TCU Texas Tech Tulsa UCLA Washington Washington State
