Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Golf to Host 10th Annual Saluki Invitational
03/26/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
March 26, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's golf team will host its 10th Annual Saluki Invitational on Sunday-Monday, Mar. 28-29, at Hickory Ridge Golf Course.
This year's event, which all features eight Missouri Valley Conference schools, should be a preview to this year's MVC Tournament (Apr. 18-20), which will also be played at Hickory Ridge.
SIU looks to win its second Saluki Invitational title in three years after last winning in 2002. So far this spring, the Salukis have posted two of three top-three finishes, including a first-place showing at the Texas-Pan American on Feb. 23-24.
Individually, the Dawgs are led by senior Amy Rankin, who holds a 78.5 stroke average. She is followed by freshman Kelly Gerlach (79.6) and senior Megan Tarrolly (79.9). All three have played a total of 20 rounds this season.
Other teams competing in this year's Saluki Invitational are Arkansas State, Bradley, Creighton, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Evansville, Ferris State, Illinois State, Michigan, Murray State, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Southwest Missouri State, Western Illinois, Wichita State and John A. Logan.
Murray State, who was spearheaded by individual medallist Lee-Anne Pace, won the tournament a year ago.
Hickory Ridge Public Golf Course is owned by the Carbondale Park District and serves as the home of Saluki women's golf. The course plays 5,999 yards with a par of 72.
Most recently, Hickory Ridge added a new state-of-the-art clubhouse, which is scheduled to open at 10 a.m., on Saturday.
One of the main features of the clubhouse is the Salukis' women's golf locker room which includes new personalized lockers and a lounge for the student-athletes.
