March 25, 2003

CALERA, Ala. - Golfers were greeted with a second consecutive day of ideal conditions at par-71 Timberline, and Samford responded with its best performance of the spring season at the first annual Samford Intercollegiate Presented by Applebee's. Alabama fired a final round 301 and captured the team title (300-301--601). Jacksonville State's Marie-Eve Dion (72-72--144) won medalist honors.

The Bulldogs moved up one place in the standings and finished seventh out of 17 teams. Samford shot a 314 Tuesday after an opening-round 322 to finish at 636.

Sophomore Kelly Villarreal continued her hot play, firing a 75. Villarreal finished tied for eighth.

Samford coach Ian Thompson presents the team trophy to Alabama's Betty Palmer at Timberline Tuesday.

Sophomore Christine Sparks, entering the round tied for 10th after a career best 77, shot an 81 and finished tied for 25th. For Sparks, it was the best tournament finish of her career. Sophomore Tricia Harlow bounced back from a tough first day and fired a career- low 76.

What pleased coach Ian Thompson was that each Bulldog contributed to the team's score at least once during the tournament.

"Without a doubt this is our best tournament performance in some time," said Thompson. "It is gratifying that we did this well while serving as hosts. To finish seventh in a field of this standard is something for us to build on as we carry forward."

Another team that will be building on momentum garnered at Timberline is Alabama. The Crimson Tide picked up its first tournament victory of 2003 in consistent fashion, firing 300-301--601. While the Tide played very well both rounds, it almost wasn't enough to hold off Jacksonville State. JSU and Alabama were tied after Monday's play, but the Gamecocks slipped just a bit, shooting 300-305--605 to finish second.

Alabama coach Betty Palmer called the tournament's second day a "dog fight".

"We started slowly and were behind the majority of the day," Palmer said. "JSU has really good players, and it was a struggle for us, but we came out on the winning end."

JSU's Marie-Eve Dion did everything she could to lead the Gamecocks to victory. The senior won medalist honors for the first time in her career, and she credited her work on the greens for keeping her scores low (72-72--144).

Tricia Harlow fired a career-best 76 for the Bulldogs Tuesday.

"Putting was the key for me," Dion said. "I did not have a 3-putt in two rounds."

Following Alabama and JSU in the top five was Southern Miss (317-301--618), UAB (311-310--621) and Middle Tennessee St. (317-309--626).

Other state schools participating included eighth-place Birmingham-Southern (325-315--640), Troy State (339-315--654) and South Alabama (349-340--689).

Overall, the tournament was a success, thanks to the caliber of teams entered, title-sponsor Applebee's, the quality golf course and, of course, the gorgeous weather.

"We would like to thank our gracious hosts, Timberline, for helping us make this such a great event," said Thompson. "There is no reason why we won't be back here again next year for the second annual Samford Invitational."

In the immediate future for the Bulldogs is a tournament April 7-8 at Southern Miss. The Atlantic Sun Conference tournament is April 14-16 at Daytona Beach, Fla.

Please click the links below for team and individual finishes, as well as statistics for the course.

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