March 7, 2008

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bucknell women's golf team will go up against perhaps the most challenging field it has ever faced, and on one of the top courses it has ever played, when the Bison tee off Sunday through Tuesday at the 2008 Pinehurst Challenge at the famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

The College of Charleston serves as host of the 54-hole event, which will be played on Pinehurst No.8, a par-72, 7,092-yard layout (5,968 yards for this event) designed by Tom Fazio in 1996 to commemorate Pinehurst's centennial year. No. 8 was the site of the PGA Club Pro Championship in 1997-98. The resort's most famous of its eight courses is No. 2, which is widely considered one of the top courses in the world. No. 2 hosted the 2005 U.S. Open and will be the site of the 2008 U.S. Amateur Championship.

In addition to Bucknell and College of Charleston, participating schools are Augusta State, Boise State, Charleston Southern, Chattanooga, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, East Tennessee State, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, James Madison, Marshall, Maryland, Memphis, Oregon State, Penn State, South Florida, Stetson, Texas State, UNC Greensboro and Western Carolina.

Adding to the challenge for the Bison has been the recent wintry weather in Central Pennsylvania. The Bucknell Golf Course remains partially snow-covered, and the team was able to hit outdoors at the practice range for the first time late this week. When the team arrives at Pinehurst for its practice round on Saturday, that will be the team's first opportunity to chip and putt outdoors.

Still, head coach Kevin Jamieson and his team are excited for the opportunity to take part in such an elite tournament.

"This is by far the toughest schedule that we've ever faced," said Jamieson, "and to earn invitations to tournament like these means our program is gaining respect around the country."

Jamieson will bring a veteran lineup to Pinehurst, a lineup that will be boosted by the return of junior Deirdre Moran, who did not play in the fall while studying abroad.

Seniors Amy Loughney, Emily Chiodo and Kristin Phalen, along with freshman Katie Jurenovich, round out the Bison quintet.

Jurenovich led the team in scoring average (80.6) in the fall, and Jurenovich and Chiodo (80.7) both ranked among the Big South's top 20 scorers.