Cougars host the BYU Dixie Classic

PROVO -- The BYU women's golf team travels to sunny St. George, Utah to host the annual BYU Dixie Classic Monday and Tuesday, April 5-6.

The Dixie Classic, in its 18th year, is being held for the first time at Entrada at Snow Canyon, a par-72 course that measures 6,150 yards. Golf Digest recently dubbed Entrada one of the "Top Ten New Upscale Golf Courses" and the second-best course in Utah.

BYU, ranked 57th nationally by Golfweek.com, goes into its home tournament on a hot streak, with third and second place finishes in its last two tournaments, respectively. The Cougars have been paced by junior Margaret Gibby, who leads the team with a 77.0 stroke average and two top-10 finishes in her last two outings.

The Cougars finished 14th out of 22 teams in last year's Dixie Classic, firing a 54-hole score of 317-310-310--937. The Cougars were led by then freshman Danielle von Arnim (74-78-72--224), who finished 11th in the individual standings. UNLV, who took top honors in 2003 in a narrow three-stroke victory over the University of San Francisco, will return to defend its title.

BYU will compete against a tough field of 12 teams this year, including three top-50 clubs. They include the following: Colorado (89), Colorado State (65), Hawaii (66), Long Beach State (86), Montana State, Nevada (71), Portland State (62), San Diego State (43), San Francisco (32), UNLV (21), Weber State (110), and Wyoming (140).

The two-day event will consist of three rounds, 36 holes on Monday and 18 on Tuesday. It will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. on Monday. Live scoring will be available at golfstat.com.

DIXIE CLASSIC QUICK FACTS

Date: April 5-6 (Monday & Tuesday)

Rounds: Three-rounds (54 holes); 36 holes on Monday, 18 holes on Tuesday

Tee Times: 8 a.m. shotgun on Monday, 8 a.m. start on Tuesday (all times Mountain Standard Time)

Course: Entrada at Snow Canyon (www.golfentrada.com)

Par: 72

Yardage: 6,150

2003 TEAM Champion: UNLV (307-307-292--906)

2003 Individual Champion: Jordan Auten, Univ. of San Francisco (73-72-73--218)

Tournament Director: : Sue Nyhus, Brigham Young University's head women's golf coach

TOURNAMENT Field (14 Teams): Brigham Young University, Colorado, Colorado State, Hawaii, Long Beach State, Montana State, Nevada, Portland State, San Diego State, San Francisco, UNLV, Weber State, Wyoming

Updates: Visit golfstat.com or www.byucougars.com for the most current results.