May 20, 2006

AUBURN - The No. 4-ranked Auburn women's golf team traveled to Columbus, Ohio Saturday afternoon in preparation of the 2006 NCAA Women's Golf Championship to be held at the par 72, 6,203-yard Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University Golf Club, May 23-26.

"We are really just happy to be at this tournament," head coach Kim Evans said. "We didn't play as well as we had hoped at the Regional, but the pressure is off now. It is time to get out there and play golf."

The Tigers advanced to the championship by finishing sixth in the NCAA East Region as the top eight teams from each of the three regions advanced. Auburn finished third at the 2005 NCAA Championship behind Duke and UCLA, respectively.

Auburn has now advanced to the NCAA Championship 10 of the last 11 years and 12 total years. Auburn's highest finish in the NCAA Championship was a tie for second in 2002. Auburn's best individual finish is also a tie for second as Danielle Downey set the mark in 2002 as well.

This season, Auburn has tied the school record for tournament wins in a season with five and is on pace to easily break the season record for stroke average, which currently sits at 294.4 from the 2001-02 season. The Tigers currently hold an average of 293.4.

The lineup for Auburn will consist of Jessica Lovell, Maria Martinez, Abigale Schepperle, Nicole Hage and Margaret Shirley for the four-day event.

In the four rounds, 24 teams will compete for the title will all action updated live on www.golfstat.com. Daily updates on the Tigers can be found on www.auburntigers.com.