State Set to Host Third Annual Magnolia Invitational At Old Waverly
October 10, 2019 | Women's Golf
By Shelby Spurlock Student Assistant/Communications
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State women's golf is set to welcome a tough field to the third edition of the Magnolia Invitational at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Mississippi, beginning on Sunday, October 13.
The Magnolia Invitational will be played over three days at State's home course. Teams will play 18 holes each day, with the final round of action set for Tuesday. Rounds one and two will both begin at 8 a.m. each day, and the final round will start at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start.
Fans are encouraged to come out to enjoy the championship, as admission is free each day, and experience of the top golf courses in the country.
"It's always an incredible honor to showcase Mississippi State Golf's home facility, teeing it up at Old Waverly just a couple months after the U.S. Women's Amateur, the biggest amateur event for women in the world today," MSU head coach Ginger Brown-Lemm said. "We are certainly grateful for our relationship with this world class course as well as Mossy Oak, the sister facility adjacent to our practice facility. So much work goes into hosting a home event, and we are grateful to all involved in hosting an SEC-caliber event."
MSU has a strong five playing this week led by freshman Ashley Gilliam, who is familiar with the course after competing in the U.S. Women's Amateur. She advanced to match play during the prestigious event. Gilliam is coming of a top-three finish at the Schooner Fall Classic, when she shot 5-under par in the final round to help the Bulldogs earn their highest finish of the season so far at third.
Senior veterans Clara Moyano and Athena Yang join Gilliam in the lineup along with junior Aubree Jones and sophomore Lauren Miller.
Moyano is one of three active Bulldogs in the lineup to have competed in the first inaugural Magnolia Invitational. As a sophomore in 2017, Moyano tied 21st in the event.
With one top-five finish on the season, Jones prepares to take on Old Waverly for the third consecutive year in the linup. Miller will make just her second start of the campaign, as she helped State open the year at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational in New Mexico.
Athena Yang is getting set to play her final three rounds at Old Waverly. The senior takes place in the lineup for the first time this season, aside from traveling to Oklahoma as an individual.
Competing as individuals, in-state product Blair Stockett is accompanied by freshmen Abbey Daniel and Ally Williams. This finalizes the total of eight Bulldogs participating in this year's event.
Thirteen years ago, Stockett remembers her first time playing this course at the age of seven. On Sunday, she will compete in her third tournament of the year, giving her an advantage among the individuals.
Daniel and Williams will have the opportunity to prove their skill on their home turf. Daniel has an advantage having grown up around the Mississippi State program and played the course multiple times before ever becoming a Bulldog.
"We are looking forward to competing at home with our team," Brown-Lemm said. "We have had three great events to start our 2019 season in which we learned a lot, and now, we're ready to compete at home and ready to play with a clear purpose."
In addition to MSU, the 11-team field includes fellow SEC members Auburn, LSU and Tennessee. Chattanooga, Iowa, Kennesaw State, Memphis, Southern Miss, Tulsa, and USF complete the field in the event, which Brown-Lemm hopes can showcase the outstanding golf courses and talent in the Magnolia State.
Sunday's opening round begins at 8 a.m., with all groups teeing off on hole No. 1. The Bulldogs begin play at 8 a.m. accompanied by Auburn and Kennesaw State.
The Rundown
Schedule: Sunday-Tuesday, October 13-15, 2019
Course: Old Waverly Golf Club| West Point, Miss.
Yardage: 6,320 – Par 72
Teams: (11) Auburn, Chattanooga. Iowa, Kennesaw State, LSU, Mississippi State, Memphis, Southern Miss, Tennessee, Tulsa, USF
Mississippi State Lineup
1. Ashley Gilliam, Fr.
2. Clara Moyano, Sr.
3. Aubree Jones, Jr.
4. Lauren Miller, So.
5. Athena Yang, Sr.
MSU Individuals
I. Blair Stockett, Jr.
I. Abbey Daniel, Fr.
I. Ally Williams, Fr.
Players Mentioned
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