Lady Vols hoping their play blooms at SECs

The University of Tennessee women's golf team hopes to reverse its recent fortunes when the Lady Vols play host to the SEC championships this weekend at Tennessee National in Loudon.

"We had a pretty good fall, but this spring we played poorly," coach Judi Pavon said. "We have a great team, but we have just hit a little bit of a slump. Hopefully they will be back to their old selves by this weekend."

Since February, the No. 16 Lady Vols have finished ninth at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic, 14th in the UCF Classic, and 11th at both the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic and the Bryan National Collegiate.

Besides disappointment, the team also has suffered injuries. Top golfer Marci Turner, for example, had to withdraw from the Murphey tournament in Athens, Ga.

Turner - who will be joined by Diana Cantu, Angela Oh, Rebecca Watson and Ginny Brown - has finished second twice in previous SEC tournaments and would love to win this year.

"I feel pretty good," said the senior from Tompkinsville, Ky., "I haven't played well this spring, but I think it is mainly from putting so much pressure on myself."

UT is the host team in name only, as Pavon said the Lady Vols have played Tennessee National only minimally since it opened in September 2006. The last time was a year ago.

Today is a practice round, with the three-day tournament beginning Friday. Admission is free.

The SEC selects schools to host the tournament on a 12-year cycle. Pavon said Tennessee National developer and UT athletic supporter John "Thunder" Thornton was open to the idea of his course hosting the event.

The course was designed by two-time British Open champion Greg Norman, who also designed the new practice facility at the UT Farm.

Despite the team's unfamiliarity with the course, Pavon feels its characteristics favor Tennessee and can help put the Lady Vols back in a once-familiar place near the top.

"If you can get off the tee well, that is an advantage," she said.

The club being a half hour drive from the UT campus also should be an advantage.

"We will feel more at home," said sophomore Cantu, the Lady Vols' No. 2 golfer. "It is not a course we play a lot, but having people there and friends supporting us will make us feel a lot better."

She also hopes the team brings more than just clubs.

"I really hope the team can get together and play with our hearts," Cantu said.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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