April 8, 2003

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Inclement weather forced the cancellation Tuesday of the second and third rounds of the Lady Eagle Invitational, hosted by Southern Miss. The Bulldogs finished in a tie for third place, thanks to an opening round season-best score of 312.

Samford continued its solid play Monday at the Lady Eagle Invitational at Shadow Ridge Golf Course, shooting a season-best 312 and tying for third after one round. The 54-hole tournament was shortened to 18 holes.

The Bulldogs were led by Kelly Stout and Kelly Villarreal, who tied for fifth place by virtue of an opening-round 76.

Christine Sparks tied for 15th after firing a 79. Tricia Harlow shot 81, and Sara Gossum shot 83.

"We are enthused about finishing in a tie for third," said coach Ian Thompson. "We would have liked to at least finish the second round, but the rain and lightning made that impossible. This is certainly our best score of the season, and our best finish since I have been associated with the program."

Thompson has been the women's golf coach since 2001, and was an assistant for the men's golf team from 1999-2002.

Southern Miss won the tournament with a 295. Middle Tennessee State was second at 311, and the Bulldogs tied with East Tennessee State at 312.

The players began the second round Monday before severe weather forced its postponement.

Thompson was keen on having his players play "steady, not spectacular", during the final rounds.

Even though the second and third rounds were cancelled, the team will take the same attitude into conference.

"We had a team meeting and talked about thinking positive before the conference championships," Thompson said Monday. "The conference course and field will be a little tougher, so it will be good for us to be playing well heading in."

The Atlantic Sun Championships are April 14-16 in Daytona Beach, Fla.