The LSU women’s golf team will host the LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic for the fourth time at the University Club beginning today.
“It’s a special weekend around the University Club, and we are so enthusiastic about the people who come out and support the tournament each year,” said LSU head coach Karen Bahnsen.
LSU sophomore Brooke Shelton said the team is excited because many friends and family are expected to attend.
“We’re excited about having a home tournament,” Shelton said.
The usual LSU/Cleveland field was split due to Georgia holding their Liz Murphy Classic the same weekend. This allows the 14 team field to include many new teams.
“We have some new teams this year, and that should really make for an interesting weekend of college golf,” Bahnsen said.
Tulane is the highest ranked team playing in the tournament. So far this year they have won three tournaments and the Golfweek/Sagarin ratings list the Green Wave as 19th in the country.
Two other visiting teams, Western Carolina and Mississippi State, are listed in the top 50.
Shelton said the team has been working hard, and she expects it to pay off this weekend.
“We’re ready and due for a good performance,” Shelton said. “The trick is for everybody to play well on the same day.”
The last time the Tigers won the classic at home was in 2000 when they shot a 918 with windy conditions. When the University Club hosted the East Regional in 2001 with calm conditions, LSU shot 864 and lost by 5 strokes to Duke.
Newcomer Vicky Meyer has shot three 74s since January but may be sidelined with a tendon injury. Her foot was heavily wrapped Thursday.
LSU will tee off with Mississippi State and Western Carolina at 10 a.m.
The tournament lasts all weekend and admission is free for the general public.