Ernst to leave for Qualifying School
Sophomore golfer Austin Ernst has decided to leave the University’s program in order to participate in the LPGA Qualifying School, LSU women’s golf coach Karen Bahnsen announced Tuesday.
A two-time All-American and the 2011 NCAA individual champion, Ernst is widely considered one of the most talented golfers to ever to carry the bag for the Tigers, leading the team to consecutive third-place team finishes in the NCAA Championship.
“Austin and our team accomplished a lot the last two years,” Bahnsen said in a news release. “Although we are very disappointed Austin will no longer be playing at LSU, we wish her all the best of luck.”
Ernst’s 73.3 career average is second in program history, and she finishes her career with three wins, nine top-10 finishes and 28 rounds of par or under. She will return to her home state of South Carolina and begin qualifying school in the fall.
Jolly qualifies for U.S. Amatuer
After tying for medalist honors in Tuesday’s U.S. Amateur Sectional qualifier, sophomore golfer Stewart Jolly will join two teammates in competing at the U.S. Amateur Championship, held Aug. 13 through 19.
The Birmingham, Ala., native will join junior Andrew Presley and freshman Zach Wright at the Championship at Cherry Hills Country Club.
Jolly shot back-to-back rounds of 2-under par 70 for a 36-hole score of 4-under par to tie Mississippi State’s Barrett Edens for the top spot at the qualifier in West Point, Miss. Sophomore South Carolina golfer Blaine Woodruff claimed the third spot.
The trio will tee off on Aug. 13 at the longest running amateur championship sponsored by the United States Golf Association.
Hornets acquire height in trade
In need of a true center, the Hornets acquired 7-footer Robin Lopez and forward Hakim Warrick from the Phoenix Suns in a multiplayer deal also involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.
New Orleans will send guard Jerome Dyson and retiring center Brad Miller’s contract to Minnesota in exchange for the Stanford and Syracuse products.
Lopez was selected No. 15 overall by the Suns in 2008, where he was a reserve for all 64 games last season, averaging 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Warrick, who was with the Memphis Grizzlies earlier in his career, was primarily a reserve for the Suns in 2010 and 2011. For his career, he has averaged 9.5 points and 4.1 rebounds.
This is the second recent frontcourt deal for the Hornets, who acquired Ryan Anderson from the Orlando Magic last week.
 
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