Oct. 4, 2010

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee Lady Vol golf team will team with the Knoxville affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this weekend, Oct. 8-10, at the 14th annual Mercedes-Benz Women's Collegiate Championships at Holston Hills Country Club.

The Lady Vols, who won the tournament by 19 strokes last season, will host the event for the first-time ever at Holston Hills. Play will start each day at 9 a.m.

Each participating team will receive pink ribbons to display on its bags, while the Lady Vols will sport pink polo's during the event. On Saturday, every team will wear pink for a "Pink Out" promotion. Additionally, fans will be able to donate money to the foundation during the tournament either in bins or by pledging an amount for every birdie the Lady Vols record over the weekend in a "Birdies for Breast Cancer" effort at the Knoxville affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure web site: www.komenknoxville.org.

The Lady Vols captured the annual Mercedes-Benz event by a record 19 strokes in 2009, while junior Nathalie Mansson claimed her first career medalist honors.

On Sunday, the Lady Vols hosted a free women's golf clinic at the brand new Mack and Jonnie Day practice facility. Over 80 participants attended the event at the scenic three-hole facility that also includes a putting green and driving range on the banks of the Tennessee River.

UT head coach Judi Pavon led off the clinic with an introduction to the attendees and the eight Lady Vol players split into four different stations of instruction, including rules and etiquette, chipping, putting and driving.

Each participant also received literature on breast cancer awareness from the Knoxville affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and a voucher for a Lady Vol hat clip/ball marker to be redeemed at the tournament.

"We had a great turnout for the golf clinic," Pavon said. "It was awesome to see so many young women excited about golf. We're hoping the golf clinic and this weekend's tournament can help raise awareness about breast cancer, as well. It's a disease that affects so many women and we need as many people as we can to help in the fight."