SAN ANTONIO — The UTSA women’s golf team will host the three-day Alamo Invitational beginning on Sunday morning at Briggs Ranch Golf Club (par 72/6,248 yards).
Now in its sixth year, The Alamo Invitational will feature a 15-team field, including nine teams ranked in the Golfstat Top 50. The Roadrunners will compete against No. 7 Arkansas, No. 19 Auburn, No. 23 LSU, No. 24 Texas A&M, No. 34 Tulane, No. 36 SMU, No. 40 Florida State, No. 44 Texas, No. 49 Baylor, Houston, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas State and Texas Tech. The teams will play 18 holes each day.
UTSA tied for fifth at last year’s event by carding a 4-under-par 860 (285-286-289). The fifth-place showing marked the third straight top-five showing at the event for the Birds, who won the team title in 2011 and were third a year later.
Taylor Newlin led the way last season by posting a 69-70-74—213 to tie for seventh, while Fabiola Arriaga (68-74-72—214) and Brogan Townend (74-67-73—214) tied for 13th.
Oklahoma captured the 2013 team crown with a tournament-record 24-under 840 (278-286-276). Lindsey Gahm of LSU (event record 68-68-69—205) held off Alexandra Kaui of Oklahoma (68-73-65—206) for individual medalist honors.
The Roadrunners are coming off a 10th-place finish at the Betsy Rawls Invitational on Oct. 12-14 in Austin. Townend, a junior from England, was the top finisher with a 70-81-77—228 that was good for 19th.
What: The Alamo Invitational
When: Sunday, Oct. 26 — Tuesday, Oct. 28
Where: Briggs Ranch Golf Club (2818 Rustlers Trail, San Antonio, Texas 78245)
Format: Three-day, 54-hole, stroke-play event
Tournament Field: #7 Arkansas, #19 Auburn, #23 LSU, #24 Texas A&M, #34 Tulane, #36 SMU, #40 Florida State, #44 Texas, #49 Baylor, Houston, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas State, Texas Tech, UTSA
Live Scoring: birdiefire.com
2013 Team Champion: Oklahoma (840)
2013 Individual Champion: Lindsey Gahm, LSU (205)
UTSA Lineup
Nikki Long, Fr. (San Antonio, Texas)
· Tied for 16th with a 224 (73-77-74) at The “Mo”Morial in her collegiate debut
· Owns a 78.0 stroke average this fall
· First-team all-state selection as a senior at Johnson High School
Becky McGeehan, Fr. (Gutersloh, Germany)
· Tied for 25th with a 227 (75-80-72) at The “Mo”Morial in her collegiate debut
· Ranks third on the squad with a 77.89 stroke average this season
· Qualified for 2013 Women’s RICOH British Open Pre-Qualifier
Aimee Ponte, So. (St. Sampson’s, U.K.)
· Tied for 46th (79-77-77—233) at The “Mo”Morial
· Carded a 74-75-70—219 to tie for 32nd at the 2013 The Alamo Invitational
· Is third on the team with a 77.89 stroke average this fall
Abby Portyrata, Fr. (North Chesterfield, Va.)
· Shot a 231 (76-82-73) to tie for 36th at the Betsy Rawls Invitational
· Stands second on the squad with a 77.63 stroke average this year
· 2013 U.S. Junior National Team member
Brogan Townend, Jr. (Blackburn, England)
· Tied for 19th with a 70-81-77—228 at the Betsy Rawls Invitational
· Finished 13th with a 74-67-73—214 at the 2013 The Alamo Invitational
· Leads the team with a 75.78 stroke average this fall
Libby Thomas, So. (Midland, Texas) ^
· Carded a 238 (78-82-78) to place 78th at the 2013 The Alamo Invitational
· Posted a 250 (82-83-85) to finish 61st at The “Mo”Morial
· Recorded a 77.63 stroke average during the 2013-14 season
^ competing as an individual