March 23, 2003

A stellar field has been assembled for the first annual Samford University Bulldog Intercollegiate, to be played March 24-25 at Timberline Golf Course in Calera, Ala. Seven in-state teams are slated to appear in the Bulldogs' marquee spring event.

"The event filled up within about the first three weeks," said coach Ian Thompson. "It is very gratifying to have the excellent response to this event."

It is unusual in women's golf, Thompson said, for so many state schools to compete in the same tournament.

"The field is highlighted by the University of Alabama, we are pleased to have them in the field," Thompson said.

The Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide are joined by state rivals Birmingham-Southern, UAB, Jacksonville State, Troy State and South Alabama.

"We encourage local lady golfers and all golfers that might want to come see the level of college golf that's being played in this state to attend," Thompson said. "The event is free to the public. We would love it if we had some people out there."

The rest of the field, combined with the state schools, will make for an extremely competitive tournament.

Southern Miss has entered, as has the University of Cincinnati. The Bulldogs will have the chance to gauge themselves against future Ohio Valley Conference foes Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech. In its final year in the Atlantic Sun, Samford will see current conference rivals Mercer, Troy State, Jacksonville State and Gardner-Webb.

Rounding out the field are Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee State, Nicholls State, Western Kentucky and Wofford.

The course should provide a challenge for the competitors.

"Timberline is a very nice, Jerry Pate designed course," said Thompson. "It just opened in May (2002)."

The tournament is 36 holes, 18 per day, and 4 out of 5 individual scores count each round. The practice round is Sunday, March 23. For more information about the tournament or volunteer opportunities, contact women's golf coach Ian Thompson at iithompson@samford.edu, or by fax at (205) 871-2993.