October 17, 2022 (Paradise Island, Bahamas) – Lipscomb and Memphis women’s golf teams enter this week’s White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational as the teams to beat, according to the most recent Golfstats college rankings. Both teams are ranked in the top 100.
The Lipscomb Bisons are led by seniors Mark Kate Smith and Siarra Stout, and sophomore Lauren Thompson. Smith, from Melbourne, Fla., who is the top-ranked golfer in the field, at 147th, while Stout, from Franklin, Tenn., had a team best scoring average of 74 a year ago. Thompson, from Dothan, Ala., was the Freshman of the Year in the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2021-22 and just finished tied for first at last week’s 14-team Edisto Island (S.C.) Invitational.
Eight women’s teams will begin play in the 54-hole event Friday (Oct. 21) at the Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis Paradise Island. The top challenge to the favorites is expected to come from Central Arkansas, Florida Gulf Coast and Arkansas State. Rounding out the field are the host school Little Rock, South Dakota State and UNC Greensboro.
“It’s golf, and anything can happen, but if we play with freedom and play up to our capabilities we will have a good chance,” said Lipscomb head coach Shannon O’Brien. “We have a lot of different players who lead us from week to week, and that’s the gift of our team. We are looking forward to the challenge and thrilled to have a chance to play in the Bahamas.”
“The field has high caliber teams, and we are all kind of equally measured, so it will be a fair fight for all the teams,” said Little Rock head coach Jenna Birch. “As for my team, we haven’t been to any place as exotic as this, and we are super excited. I believe I have mentioned the White Sands Bahamas Invitational to my team almost every day. It will be an early Christmas present and a great way to end the fall season.”
Viewed as one of the top collegiate events, this NCAA Invitational is among a handful of premier events held at the Ocean Club Golf Course. Most recently, the resort course hosted the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. The par-72 Ocean Club Golf Course, designed by past major champion Tom Weiskopf, will play at 6,415 yards. This year is the third year for the event, first played in 2019 and again in 2021, with Texas and Campbell the two past winners.
For more coverage of the 2022 White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, visit whitesandsbahamas.com., follow @WhiteSandsBah on social media and use the following hashtags: #WhiteSandsBahamas and #WhiteSandsNCAA.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Friday, Oct 21: Round One – 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
- Saturday, Oct 22: Round Two – 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
- Sunday, Oct 23: Round Three – 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
Trophy Presentation (Individual and Team Champions)
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ABOUT THE BAHAMAS
With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly-away escape that transports travelers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating, and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples, and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram to see why “It’s Better in The Bahamas.”
ABOUT OCEAN CLUB GOLF COURSE
Atlantis Paradise Island’s Ocean Club Golf Course offers a challenging and beautiful course for golfers desiring championship play. Masterfully conceived, the Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole, par 72 championship course stretches over 7,100 yards on Atlantis’ peninsula. The course has hosted iconic sporting events such as the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI), the Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament, and the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. For more information about Atlantis Paradise Island resort and the Ocean Club please visit www.atlantisbahamas.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational
Contact: Mike Harmon
[email protected]
BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS & AVIATION CONTACT:
Anita Johnson-Patty
[email protected]
ATLANTIS CONTACT:
Katie Longley
Atlantis Paradise Island
242-376-1034
