The LSU women’s golf team will play its only home event of the season when the Lady Tigers play host to the LSU Tiger Golf Classic this weekend.
The Classic will start today at the University Club, where LSU practices, and will be a three-round tournament that concludes Sunday.
“Hosting the tournament is a lot of hard work but we enjoy doing it,” said LSU coach Karen Bahnsen. “We like having everyone here and we like for people in the community to get to come out and see us play.”
LSU came in second place at last season’s Tiger Classic, finishing just two shots behind Tennessee.
Bahnsen said her team liked playing at home but said she considered it to be something of a mixed bag.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” Bahnsen said. “They know the course better than anyone, which gives them confidence, but at the same time, some girls put too much pressure on themselves to win because it is the only home event all season.”
Sophomore Madelene Sagstrom placed third at this event last season, posting an even-par 216 for the week. She finished just two strokes out of a playoff for first.
“We know this course inside-out,” Sagstrom said. “We all know where we want to hit the ball and that really helps us manage the course well.”
There is rain in the forecast for Friday and Saturday, but Sagstrom said she does not think the rain will create any problems.
“Honestly I think it is kind of good,” Sagstrom said. “The course is really firm right now and some rain would soften it up, which would be a good thing.”
The lineup behind Sagstrom will consist of juniors Ali Lucas and Lindsay Gahm and freshmen Elise Bradley and Nadine Dreher. Senior Katrina Hegge will play as an individual.
In their last two tournaments the Lady Tigers notched a tie for second place at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate and a sixth-place finish at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate.
“The team is playing good,” Bahnsen said. “We had a great last couple outings and that’s given them confidence when they go out there and compete.”
This week’s field includes Southeastern Conference opponents No. 8 Arkansas, No. 19 Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Missouri and Tennessee.
Men’s Golf:
The No. 16 LSU men’s golf team will begin play at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate on Sunday.
The tournament will feature three rounds at Bulls Bay Golf Club in Awendaw, S.C., and concludes Tuesday.
The Tigers are coming off back-to-back second place finishes at the Louisiana Classics and the Argent Financial Classic.
