Teeing It Up In Tunica

Nov. 9, 2004

By Matt Segal
Athletics Media Relations Intern

Meghan Bolger has already endured many 15-hour days during the first two months of the 2004-05 academic year. But, the demanding days and late nights have only begun for the fourth-year Ole Miss women's golf coach.

That's because Ole Miss has been chosen to host the 2005 Southeastern Conference Women's Golf Championships, April 15-17, at the Tunica (Miss.) National Golf Course. The three-day tournament will be played at one of the south's newest and finest golf facilities, which is less than a year old.

"The SEC Championships should be an amazing event," Bolger said. "It's still early in the year, but we have already started working on many of the tournament logistics. The final product is something that we all want to be proud of."

Tunica National features an exciting 7,210-yard, par 72 championship layout. It also offers Global Positioning System technology, which provides up-to-date information on weather conditions, yardage and scoring to golfers as they make their way through the 18-hole course. Tunica National's 8,000-square-foot clubhouse features a fully-stocked pro shop, locker rooms and banquet seating for up to 100 people.

Bolger and senior women's administrator Lynnette Johnson have already began a series of meetings with director of golf Bob Wolcott and other Tunica National officials.

"Bob and all of the people at Tunica National have already put forth a lot of effort, and we are still over five months from the actual event," Bolger said. "The Tunica National staff has been very supportive of Southeastern Conference women's golf. Their beautiful facility and hard-working staff will be terrific for this event."

Bolger and Johnson are in the process of searching for reliable volunteers. Those interested in volunteering are asked to contact Barbara Hoggard at the Gillom Sports Center. She can be reached at 662-915-7628 or via e-mail at bhoggard@olemiss.edu.

"We will need a lot of volunteers to make this weekend a success," Bolger added. "We will need people throughout the course and in the hospitality area. We will also be looking for individuals in Tunica County who are interested in being team hosts."

Ole Miss was one of 10 SEC schools to receive an NCAA Regional bid a season ago. Three league schools advanced to the NCAA Championships with Vanderbilt registering a fifth-place finish.

"Year in and year out, SEC Golf is as good as it gets," Bolger added. "The show that these young women put on is something all golf fans should be treated to.

"This is also a fantastic opportunity for the people of Northern Mississippi to come see us play since we don't play at home during the regular season. There are a lot of exciting attractions in Tunica County and we are encouraging everyone to come out and make it a weekend affair."

Check out the Official Web Site of Ole Miss Athletics -- www.OleMissSports.com -- for more information in the spring.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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