## *Kentucky Women’s Golf Gears Up for the SEC Championship at The Pelican Golf Club*
### A Crucial Showdown Awaits
**TAMPA, FL** – The University of Kentucky women’s golf team is set to face off against some of the fiercest competitors in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) at the **2023 SEC Women’s Golf Championship**. This year, the championship will feature an expanded field of **16 teams**, all vying for supremacy at The Pelican Golf Club from **April 14-18**.
### Tee Off Details
**Get ready to cheer!** Kentucky will kick off its campaign in the first round on **Monday at 9:10 a.m. ET**, teeing off from hole No. 10. The Wildcats will be paired with heavyweights **Alabama, Georgia,** and **Missouri**, promising to deliver an electrifying start to the tournament.
### The Course: A Challenge Like No Other
The Pelican Golf Club, known for its stunning views and rigorous layout, will test every ounce of skill the players bring with its par-70 course stretching **6,254 yards**. This venue also hosts the annual **ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge**, making it a place of prestige in women’s golf. The Wildcats are no strangers to these greens, having recorded one of their best performances at last year’s SEC Championship held here.
### Who’s Representing Kentucky?
This season, Kentucky’s lineup boasts a healthy mix of experience and fresh talent:
– **Cathryn Brown (Sophomore)**
– **Karlie Campbell (Freshman)**
– **Anastasia Hekkonen (Freshman)**
– **Marta López Echevarría (Senior)**
– **Brooke Oberparleiter (Sophomore)**
Both Brown and López Echevarría are returning for their second SEC Championship, while Campbell, Hekkonen, and Oberparleiter will experience their first conference showdown.
### A Look Back at Last Season
In the 2022 season, the Wildcats finished a commendable fifth out of 14 teams, marking their **best finish since 2012-13**. This performance included a remarkable foray into the match-play quarterfinals for the first time since the NCAA Championship format was introduced. Individual accolades were also achieved, with Brown finishing **T25**, having only carded **6-over** par, and López Echevarría landing at **T20** with a mere **4-over**.
### What’s New This Year?
In a thrilling twist, the SEC Championship has expanded to include **16 teams** for the first time in history, incorporating powerhouse additions **Oklahoma** and **Texas**. This year’s championship format includes **54 holes of stroke play** from Monday to Wednesday, leading to an exhilarating match-play showdown. The **top eight teams** will progress to quarterfinals on Thursday morning, with the top four advancing to semifinals that afternoon, culminating in a thrilling championship match for the ultimate title on Friday.
### Wildcats’ Performance & Momentum
Kentucky’s team has been making waves this season, averaging an impressive **291.8 strokes** across eight tournaments and 24 rounds. If these numbers hold, this would represent the **fifth-best team average** in program history, a testament to the hard work under head coach **Golda Borst**. With four top-eight finishes, the Wildcats are poised to continue their success in Tampa.
**Marta López Echevarría** leads the team with a stellar **72.9 scoring average** through 21 rounds, showcasing her consistency. Interestingly, **Cathryn Brown** takes the lead with **nine rounds** of par-or-better this season, underscoring the team’s collective strength.
### The Road Ahead: A Bright Forecast
With clear skies and temperatures expected to reach the low-to-mid 80s, the Wildcats will have ideal conditions to showcase their talents.
### Stay Tuned!
For ongoing updates and behind-the-scenes insights into the Kentucky women’s golf team as they tackle the SEC Championship, follow them on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/kentuckywgolf), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/KentuckyWGolf), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/kentuckywgolf). You can also find more information on their official website, [UKathletics.com](http://ukathletics.com).
**Get ready, Wildcat fans! The SEC Championship is upon us, and our team is prepared to leave it all on the course!**
