The Illinois State womens golf team has been picked to win the 2004 Missouri Valley Conference Womens Golf Championship, April 18-20, at Hickory Ridge Golf Course in Carbondale, Ill. The Redbirds received five first-place votes and 59 total points to edge host Southern Illinois, which had 55 points.
The Birds finished second to Bradley in last years championship after a one-hole playoff. Sophomore Samantha Richdale took home medalist honors. Richdale leads current MVC individuals with a stroke average of 76.0 through 28 rounds. Freshman Hilary Anderson is also among the top 15 in stroke average at 79.2. Northern Iowa and Bradley both have three players among the top 15.
Teams will play 18 holes each day at Hickory Ridge over three days for a total of 54 holes. The opening round of the Missouri Valley Womens Golf Championship begins on Sunday April 18. The winner of the Valley tournament earns an automatic bid into the the NCAA Championship.
Team / Points
Illinois State (5) - 59
Southern Illinois (1) - 55
UNI (1) - 44
Bradley - 43
SMS - 33
Wichita State - 29
Creighton - 16
Evansville - 9
