April 9, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama women's golf team moved into the top-10 in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin poll by checking in at No. 10. The Tide is also ranked at No. 7 in the latest Golfstat poll. The third Golf World/NGCA poll has the Tide at the No. 11 spot.

After coming off a record breaking performance last weekend at the Crimson Tide Classic, Alabama was rewarded for its effort by moving up in the polls. The Tide defended its home course by shooting a 54 hole school record score of 861 (-3). UA used a school record final round score of 279 (-9) to round out the impressive victory.

As the SEC Championship approaches next week, seven squads rank in the top-25, including No. 21 ranked LSU, who Alabama defeated at the Crimson Classic by 42 strokes. Five SEC teams are ranked within seven spots.

Four Tide golfers rank in the Golfweek top 100. Junior Kathleen Ekey, who fired a school and women's course record score of 65 in the final round at the Crimson Tide Classic, ranks No. 12 in the latest Golfweek rankings. Ekey ranks third in the nation in greens in regulation and sports an average score of 72.59.

Sophomore Rhea Nair checks in at No. 64 and averages a 74.38 per round. Freshman Camilla Lennarth, who placed third in the Crimson Tide Classic with three-straight rounds under par, is ranked 96th while fellow countrywomen Helena Blomberg is ranked No. 100.

As a team, the Crimson Tide ranks fifth in par 4 scoring (4.21), eighth in fairways hit (.779), 10th in greens in regulation (.636) and ninth in putts in greens in regulation (1.918).

Alabama will take a week off to prepare for the SEC Championship which will begin on April 18 in Loudon, Tenn. The tournament will be held at the Tennessee National Golf Club.