Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Prepare to Host Kitahara Fresno State Invitational
2/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Feb. 24, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's golf team opens its spring season by hosting the Kitahara Fresno State Invitational on Monday and Tuesday at Copper River Country Club.
Featuring 19 teams from the Western region, the tournament field consists of Boise State, Cal Poly, Colorado, Colorado State, Denver, Fresno State, Hawaii, Idaho, Long Beach State, Nevada, New Mexico State, Oregon, Oregon State, Sacramento, San Diego State, San Francisco, San Jose State, UC Davis and UC Irvine. Individuals from UCLA and Fresno State will also compete.
All seven Western Athletic Conference schools that sponsor a women's golf program are participating in the tournament.
At last year's inaugural Fresno State Invitational, the Bulldogs won the team title while then-freshman Laura Luethke took second place individually. Fresno State also saw three golfers place in the top 10 in 2005.
"The field this year includes some tough competition," head coach Angie Cates said. "We look to defend the title we won at last year's tournament, and know we are going to have to play very well to do that. We have been working hard and putting up good scores in the offseason, so it can be done. Team chemistry is good right now and we are all on the same page. Hopefully we are able to achieve one of the goals we set at the beginning of the season by claiming victory at our home tournament."
Fresno State's lineup consists of Luethke, Adrianna Chico, Jennifer Shipley, Yumi Chung and Brittany Cooley. Taylor Siebert, Meggie Fagundes, Marissa Patterson and Robyn Boertje will play as individuals.
"Laura, Adrianna and Jennifer all worked really hard during the break between seasons," Cates said. "I know it will pay off and I look to see some good scores from them."
In its fall season, Fresno State participated in five tournaments and achieved three top-five placings, including a runner-up finish at Colorado's Heather Farr Memorial Invitational. Luethke had all top-25 finishes in fall tournaments, and standout freshmen Shipley and Siebert currently have the Bulldogs ranked in the top 25 for freshmen class impact.
Copper River Country Club features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by architect David Pfaff. The course, set up on the undulating terrain of the Sierra Nevada base, has water on seven holes. Since no two fairways are parallel, golfers are able to enjoy their round as well as the view of the mountains and clubhouse.
"The team is very comfortable with the course at Copper River," Cates said. "We are fortunate to have the advantage of practicing here and becoming familiar with the layout. For those who have never played the course before, it definitely will be challenging."
The par-72 course will play at 6,004 yards.
Monday's play begins with 9:30 a.m. tee times. Tuesday's tee times start at 8 a.m. for the second and final round.
There is no cost to attend the event.
Results will be available on www.gobulldogs.com at the conclusion of play both days.
