April 21, 2012

GWC Day 1 Pairings

OREM, Utah-- The Utah Valley University women's golf team won't have to travel too far from home when it tees it up at the Great West Conference Championship Monday-Wednesday at the Alpine Country Club in Highland, Utah.

"Playing a familiar course is an advantage," UVU women's golf coach Sue Nyhussaid. "They know the greens and have a game plan set for success. We have a lot of fans planning to watch and that, too, will be an advantage."

Freshman Lynn-Marie Nagel leads the Wolverines in scoring average at 78.55, followed by Jordyn Dougal (81.33) and Celeste Gish(81.55).

Lauren Ballenger, who led the Wolverines with a T44 at the Cowgirl Invitational two weeks ago, is averaging 81.75. She is followed by Haley Dunn (82.76) and Brooke Bliss(84.47).

"Our team is excited to play in the conference championship. They are looking forward to shooting some of the lowest scores of the season," Nyhus said. "We are hoping for a school-record breaking performance."

Last year, the Wolverines finished fifth at the GWC Tournament played at Cypreswood Golf Club (Tradition Course) in Spring, Texas. Dougal led the Wolverines with a 17th-place finish.

"To shoot low scores we need to stay focused on our targets," Nyhus said. "We also need to putt well. Finally, managing our games and ourselves will help us play the best we can play."

First-round action gets underway at 1 p.m. Monday at the par-72, 5,945-yard course. Second- and third-day action gets underway at 9 a.m. Eighteen holes will be played each day.

Houston Baptist won the team title last year with a 939, followed by Texas-Pan American (957) and Chicago State (977).