Oct. 12, 2017
Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational live results
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Vanderbilt women’s golf team looks to build on their early-season success this weekend at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational, a 54-hole tournament starting Friday at the University of North Carolina.
The Tar Heel Invitational will be the Commodores’ first competition since an impressive fourth place finish in the Mason Rudolph Championships staged at month at the Vanderbilt Legends North course.
Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen wants to see his young Commodore squad move forward off the strong Mason Rudolph result.
“I’m looking forward to seeing our girls back in competition against what looks like another outstanding field,” Allen said. “We look to build off how we played at the Mason Rudolph. Our energy and focus at practices since the Mason has been really good, so I’m hopeful that leads to consistent, confident play on the course.”
The Vanderbilt starting five will be sophomore Abbey Carlson, freshman Morgan Baxendale, junior Courtney Zeng, senior Alexandra Farnsworth and freshman Virginia Green. Freshman Louise Yu will participate in the individual competition.
Talented field awaits Commodores
Vanderbilt will face a talented field in Chapel Hill. The invitational features four teams ranked in Golfweek’s current Top Ten: No. 1 Arkansas, No. 2 Alabama, No. 6 Duke and No. 9 Michigan State.
Also joining Vanderbilt in the 18-team field are host North Carolina, South Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, Virginia, North Carolina State, Michigan, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Louisville, South Carolina, UNC-Wilmington, Rollins College, Iowa and Tulane.
Three days of 18-hole competition
The entire Tar Heel Invitational field will play single rounds daily. Tee times on Friday and Saturday start at 8 a.m. CT. The invitational features a shotgun start Sunday at 8:15 a.m.
How Vanderbilt has fared previously
Vanderbilt has enjoyed team and individual successes at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational since its initial appearance in 1996.
The Commodores captured the Tar Heel Invitational team title in 2006, notched a second place result in 2013, finished third in 2008 and fourth in 2009. The squad is looking to improve on a 13th place finish last year.
Vanderbilt is searching for its first individual medalist at the Tar Heel Invitational. Five former Commodores have registered top five finishes: Kendall Martindale, second in 2014; Jennifer Hahn, second in 2013; Marina Alex, second in 2009; Jacqui Concolino, third in 2007 and fourth in 2008; and Chris Brady, fourth in 2006.
On-campus tournament venue
The invitational will be contested at University of North Carolina Finley Golf Course, regarding among the nation’s premier college facilities. The par-72 6379-yard course designed by internationally-renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio, is located just two miles from the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.
