10.26.2011

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University women's golf was idle from competition this past week.  The Lancers, coached by seventh-year head coach Ali Wright, return to action this weekend, October 28-30, playing in the 54-hole Lady Paladin Invitational hosted by Furman University at the Furman Golf Club in Greenville, South Carolina.

A Quick Look Back At The Lady Pirate Intercollegiate
Junior Ariel Witmer|North Lima, Ohio (South Range) led Longwood (907, t-10th) with her 220 that placed 12th.  Witmer posted a new collegiate-best for 54-holes (220), while followed closely by sophomore Amanda Steinhagen|Oak Hill (Oakton) (222, t-15th), along with fifth-year senior Kameron Carter|Bassett (Bassett) (232, t-52nd), sophomore Hannah Pierce|King George (King George) (233, t-57th), and junior Ha Lee|Hagerstown, Md. (Smithsburg) (239, t-77th).

Head Coach Ali Wright
“The first four tournaments this fall have yielded very solid results, but they have left us hungry for a victory.  All five of our travelling players are familiar with the Furman University golf course and are looking forward to shooting low scores.  We have had a couple of weeks to practice and prepare for this competition, and we are ready to finish the fall season on a high note.”

In The Rankings
Longwood is ranked 78th among 252 Division I women's golf teams in this week's Golfstat Rankings.  The Lancers' ranking is based upon their 67.098 winning percentage through four tournaments. UCLA is the top-ranked program this week with its 97.230%.  Longwood is ranked 79th in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings with a rating of 75.78.  UCLA enjoys the top ranking as well with its rating of 70.55.

Oh So Close At The Top
Through four tournaments and 11 rounds of golf, only one shot separates the top two golfers for Longwood.  Ariel Witmer (814) is averaging 74.00 with the team's low round of 70, while Amanda Steinhagen (815) is averaging 74.09 with a low round of 71.  Kameron Carter (843) follows with her average of 76.64 and a low round of 73, along with Ha Lee (869-79.00, 74) and Hannah Pierce (880-80.00, 74).  The Lancers are averaging 302.45 as a team through four events, and while still early, well ahead of the school-record scoring average of 307.50 during 2010-11 that included one tournament win.

In The Record Book
Ariel Witmer posted the third-best 54-hole score in program history with her four-over-par 220 at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate (10.10-11).  Earlier this fall, she tied for what is now the fourth-best 54-hole score in school history with her five-over-par 221 at the Yale Women's Intercollegiate (9.17-18).  Her two-under round of 70 tied as the program's fifth-best low round. Witmer's 36-hole score of even-par 70-74--144 tied the seventh-best in program history, which she matched again at the Nittany Lion Invitational (71-73, 9.30-10.1).

A Look At The Lady Paladin Invitational
The three-day, 54-hole tournament will include 18 holes each on Friday, Oct. 28, Saturday, Oct. 29, and Sunday, Oct. 30.  The Furman Golf Club is billed as one of the 30 best courses you can play in South Carolina.  Chattanooga is the defending champion after posting a 915 last year.  Longwood finished fourth among 17 teams in the event a year ago with its 937.  Kameron Carter finished seventh last fall (230) in her only action of the year prior to her December 2011 back surgery.

Up Next
The Lady Paladin Invitational will complete the fall portion of the 2011-12 schedule for Longwood.