University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Travel to Lady Northern Invitational
10/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Oct. 7, 2011
After a few weeks off from competition, the Golden Gophers are ready to be back in action at the Lady Northern Invitational in French Lick, Ind. The first 36 holes of the event will be played on Monday, Oct. 10, starting in shotgun fashion at 7:30 CT. The final round will follow on Tuesday, also starting at 7:30. Live results will be available at golfstat.com.
Head coach Michele Redman said having a break from tournaments helped, because it was a chance to practice more as a team, which the Gophers were not able to do very much at the beginning of the season. Redman said that they focused on the short game and putting in preparation for the Lady Northern. She looks for her team to show improved course management and putting in French Lick.
Jackie Shepherd, Banchalee Theinthong, Aubrie Nelson, Sarinee Thitiratanakorn, Carmen Laguna, and Taylor Quinn comprise Minnesota's travel group. Quinn, a redshirt freshman, will be playing as an individual. Shepherd and Theinthong both average 76.55 strokes per round to lead the team this season. Shepherd's 11th-place finish at the Golfweek Conference Challenge last month is the best finish by a Gopher this fall. She has also been an important presence as one of only two upperclassmen on the team.
"She's a hard worker," Redman said. "She sets the tone for everyone else on the team."
The course: The Donald Ross Course at French Lick Resort will play at 6,037 yards and a par of 71. Minnesota and the other Big Ten teams in the field will be back in the spring for the conference meet. "I think it's important to see the course to get ready for the Big Ten Championships," Redman said.
The field: In addition to Minnesota and tournament host Indiana, the following 10 teams will compete: Augusta State, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, UCF, and Wisconsin.
Notes: Minnesota finished eighth at last year's Lady Northern…Purdue was the 2010 champion…the Gophers' next tournament will be the Alamo Invitational in San Antonio from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.
Players Mentioned
