SMU Opens Season At The Famed Minikahda Club
Sep 14 | Women's Golf
Sept. 14, 2014
DALLAS (SMU) — The SMU women's golf program opens the 2014-15 season Monday as the Mustangs travel to Minneapolis for the Minnesota Invitational. The tournament is hosted by Minnesota at the famous Minikahda Club. The 14 team field consists of Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, Fresno State, Kent State, Texas State, Purdue, Kansas, Cal State Fullerton, Colorado, GRU-Augusta, East Carolina and SMU. The tournament kicks off with a MiniBreak Challenge on Saturday (Sept. 13) followed by a practice round on Sunday (Sept. 15). The first and second rounds start Monday (Sept. 15) and the final third round will be played Tuesday (Sept. 16).
Minnesota Invitational Notes
▪ The Minikahda Club is a par-72, 6,119 yard course that is in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
▪ 2014 marks the second year that the Minnesota Invitational has been hosted at Minikahda.
▪ Along with tournament host Minnesota, six other programs return to Minikahda from the inaugural event last year. Teams returning include Kent State, Illinois, Texas State, Nebraska, GRU-Augusta and Cal State Fullerton.
▪ Kent State won the 2013 team championship by shooting a 902 (+38).
▪ The individual winner from 2013 was Kent State's Jennifer Ha who shot 215 (-1).
SMU's Lineup
SMU will travel senior Jennifer Park, juniors Jenny Haglund and Alexandra Rossi; and sophomores Katie Page and Lindsey McCurdy to Minneapolis for the Minnesota Invitational. They are all returning letterwinners who saw tournament action a year ago.
"The five we are bringing to Minikahda know what it takes to win," Head Coach Jeanne Sutherland said. "I expect us to compete at a high level and to challenge the tournament field. This is a great early test for us."
Last Time Out
The 2013-14 season came to an end at the NCAA Central Regional at Karsten Creek (Stillwater, Oklahoma) where SMU finished in a tie for 17th place. The Mustangs return four of the five Regional participants this year as Maria Elena Villamil graduated. Alexandra Rossi shot 227 (+11), which tied her for 35th place. Jennifer Park tied for 60th after shooting 235 (+19) while Katie Page carded 238 (+22) to tie for 90th. Jenny Haglund withdrew after two rounds due to injury. The Regional marked the second consecutive that SMU had competed in.
Head Coach Jeanne Sutherland
Head Coach Jeanne Sutherland enters her fourth season on the Hilltop in 2014-15. Under Sutherland's instruction, the Mustangs have qualified for the NCAA Regionals each of the last two years. In the programs inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference, Sutherland coached the individual winner (Jenny Haglund) while coaching the team to a third place-finish. Once again, Sutherland will be assisted by David Von Ins.
Sutherland Speaks
"I am very encouraged with the team so far. We return a lot of experience from last year and everyone is playing well this preseason. The entire team is focused and playing with an edge. I am very impressed with how we are playing in practice. Our scores have looked good and we have continued to make strides. If we keep taking steps, then we will have a fine season. Our attention is now on the famous Minikahda course. It will be a beautiful setting for a fun and challenging opening tournament."
