April 3, 2004

USF women's golf travels to sunny St. George, Utah to compete in the 2004 BYU Dixie Classic Monday and Tuesday, April 5-6. Currently ranked 32 in the nation by Golf Week, the Lady Dons, fresh off a 29-shot victory in the 2004 UC Irvine Anteater Invitational, look to continue their strong play. Senior Kristi Larsen captured medalist honors for the second time this season at the Anteater and also won West Coast Conference Player of the Month and Golf Digest Player of the Week accolades for her efforts.

Senior Jordan Auten captured medalist honors at the 2003 BYU Dixie Classic for her first career victory in the Green and Gold. Auten shot a career-low one-over 218 (72, 73, 72), propelling the Lady Dons to a runner-up finish with a 906 (307, 307, 292). San Francisco won the event in 2002.

The Dixie Classic, in its 18th year, is being held for the first time at Entrada at Snow Canyon, a par-72 course that measures 6,150 yards. Golf Digest recently dubbed Entrada one of the "Top Ten New Upscale Golf Courses" and the second-best course in Utah.

BYU, ranked 57th nationally by Golfweek.com, goes into its home tournament on a hot streak, with third and second place finishes in its last two tournaments, respectively. The Cougars have been paced by junior Margaret Gibby, who leads the team with a 77.0 stroke average and two top-10 finishes in her last two outings.

The Cougars finished 14th out of 22 teams in last year's Dixie Classic, firing a 54-hole score of 317-310-310--937. The Cougars were led by then freshman Danielle von Arnim (74-78-72--224), who finished 11th in the individual standings. UNLV, who took top honors in 2003 in a narrow three-stroke victory over the University of San Francisco, will return to defend its title.

USF takes on a demanding field, featuring three top-50 clubs. They include the following: Colorado (89), Colorado State (65), Hawaii (66), Long Beach State (86), Montana State, Nevada (71), Portland State (62), San Diego State (43), San Francisco (32), defending champion UNLV (21), Weber State (110), and Wyoming (140).

The two-day event will consist of three rounds, 36 holes on Monday and 18 on Tuesday. It will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. on Monday. Live scoring will be available at golfstat.com.

DIXIE CLASSIC QUICK FACTS

Date: April 5-6 (Monday & Tuesday)

Rounds: Three-rounds (54 holes); 36 holes on Monday, 18 holes on Tuesday Tee Times: 8 a.m. shotgun on Monday, 8 a.m. start on Tuesday (all times Mountain Standard Time)

Course: Entrada at Snow Canyon (www.golfentrada.com)

Par: 72

Yardage: 6,150

2003 TEAM Champion: UNLV (307-307-292--906)

2003 Individual Champion: Jordan Auten, Univ. of San Francisco (73-72-73--218)

TOURNAMENT Field (14 Teams): Brigham Young University, Colorado, Colorado State, Hawaii, Long Beach State, Montana State, Nevada, Portland State, San Diego State, San Francisco, UNLV, Weber State, Wyoming