Jan. 28, 2008

KENNESAW, GA - After a rash of winter weather set them back a few days, the Kennesaw State women's golf team returned to practice this week looking to build on a fall which saw them lower their team scoring average while improving on their national ranking.

The two weeks of practice are going to be vital as the Owls have a short turnaround following the winter break with a tournament scheduled for February 11 and 12 in Baja, Mexico. The Baja Invitational, hosted by Northern Illinois at the Bajamar Resort will be the first time the women's golf team has traveled outside of the U.S. for a tournament.

"Our women are really excited about going to Mexico and the warm weather," said head coach Rhyll Brinsmead on the Owls journey across the border. "This is a strong field to start the spring with and our performance should give us a good indication of where we stand as a team."

The Owls return to action in late February at the Fighting Camel Spring Classic hosted by Atlantic Sun Conference foe Campbell on the 25 and 26 in Buies Creek, N.C.

They follow a week later with the USA Lady Jaguar Invitational hosted by the University of South Alabama on March 3 and 4 in Mobile, Ala. before hosting their first tournament since joining the A-Sun, the Larry Nelson Collegiate Invitational.

The tournament, named after the Hall of Fame golfer and Kennesaw alum, will be held on the Chateau Course at Chateau Élan in Braselton, Ga. from March 31 through April 1 and has a 17-team field including conference rivals Belmont, Mercer, and Gardner-Webb.

The Black and Gold conclude their season at the highly competitive, three-day Susie Maxwell Berning Classic hosted by the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. on April 6 through 8.

"Our goals remain the same for the spring as they were in the fall, to improve our team scoring average and our national ranking," added Brinsmead her expectations. "With a schedule that is strong from beginning to end and fields that are going to be highly competitive throughout, we are going to have to play at our highest level consistently to accomplish our goals."

Full coverage of the Kennesaw State women's golf team including stats, results, history, etc. can be found by clicking the women's golf link at the top of the KSU Athletics website at www.ksuowls.com.