Women’s Golf Coaches Pick Pfeiffer as Preseason Favorite

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, January 29, 2008

Women's Golf Coaches Pick Pfeiffer as Preseason Favorite

High Point, NC> The Pfeiffer University women's golf team was picked first in this year's preseason coaches poll for the fifth consecutive year.  Pfeiffer has won the Conference Carolinas championship twice in the last three years.

Pfeiffer University returns seniors Brittany Beltran and Charlene Reid who played very well throughout their time at Pfeiffer.   In addition, sophomore, Lina Elmsater had an excellent fall season finishing very high in every tournament.  The Falcons also have several freshmen and sophomores pushing hard to claim those last two spots for the conference championship.

Pfeiffer had a good showing in the fall with taking 8th place at the Queens Invitational, 5th place at the Lady Falcon Invitational, 2nd place at the Patsy Rendleman Invitational, and 1st at the Conference Preview.  The women saw their scores improve each time they stepped up to the tee.

Falcon Director of Golf Phil Fecteau said, "We are honored that the conference golf coaches have so much confidence in Pfeiffer to name us number one in the preseason. The Pfeiffer women will try to live up to the respect that they are receiving from their peers. We have been fortunate to have won the conference championship twice in the past three years, but it will not be easy to win this year with teams like Belmont Abbey and Anderson, as well as all the other teams in our conference."

Belmont Abbey College comes into the 2009 season as the second ranked team in the league as voted on by conference coaches.  The Crusaders are also ranked No.13 in the DII national poll and No. 6 in the NCAA DII south region.  Belmont Abbey won two tournaments and went undefeated in head to head conference play in the fall. 

The Abbey looks to continue their success this spring lead by a deeply talented team.  The Crusaders return all of their starters from last year's squad including first team all conference players Carley Warrington, Liz Cortez, and 2008 Freshmen of the Year Michele Low.

Queens University of Charlotte head coach John Handrigan is excited to get the championship season underway, "Our fall was strong and after a second place finish at the Conference Preview, the team is ready to capitalize on that momentum this season."  

The Royals, who finished second behind Pfeiffer University at the Fall Preview, have a new class of talented freshman looking to make their mark at Queens. The five returning players, including All-Conference Second Team player Hilary Armel, will guide the newcomers with their leadership and invaluable playing experience.

Rounding out the women's golf preseason poll 4-6 was: Anderson, Mount Olive, Limestone, St. Andrews, and Erskine respectively.

Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches Poll

(First place votes in parentheses)

            1.         Pfeiffer University                                         (3)                                45

            2.         Belmont Abbey College                                 (5)                                43

            3.         Queens University of Charlotte                                                        33

            4.         Anderson University                                                                          32

            5.         Mount Olive College                                                                         29

            6.         Limestone College                                                                             21

            7.         St. Andrews Presbyterian College                                                    13

            8.         Erskine College                                                                                 8