Oct. 25, 1999

DELAND, Fla. - Illini freshman golfer Laurin Kanda (Chico, Calif.) entered Monday's final round of the Hatter Fall Classic in DeLand, Fla. in third place and she finished the tournament the same way. Kanda tied for third after shooting a 79 on Monday. She carded a 3-over par 75 in Sunday's first round. This fall, Kanda established herself as the top Illini golfer with finishes of 11th, 29th, second and third in the team's four fall tournaments.

"Laurin has played really well this fall and she's knocking on the door of winning a tournament," Head Coach Paula Smith said. "It's really wonderful to see a freshman have such an impact."

The Illini finished ninth of 14 teams in the tournament after shooting a 341 on Monday. The team's total for 36 holes was 669.

"We are looking forward to the spring and the seven tournaments on our schedule," Smith said. "We feel this team can make an impact in those tournaments."

Another Illini newcomer, Renata Young (Fr., Rogers, Ark.), posted her best finish this year at the Hatter Fall Classic. She tied for 15th with rounds of 79-82. She has the second best stroke average on the team behind Kanda.

Competing in her first tournament for the Illinois team, freshman Mari Walters (Oswego, Ore.) finished third on the team at the Hatter Fall Classic. She shot a 90 on Monday and tied for 48th in the standings with a 172 total after turning in an 82 on Sunday.

The Illini also got a score from senior Christine Scott (Lockport, Ill.), who dropped two strokes off her Sunday round (92) and shot a 90 on Monday. Lorette Lyttle (Sr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) made a five-stroke improvement shooting a 95 on Monday after a 100 on Sunday. Neither of her scores counted in the team total.

TEAMS

 1. Baylor                  314-321=635
 2. Jacksonville State      321-323=644
    Florida Southern        328-316=644
 4. Troy State              315-331=646
 5. Florida International   322-326=648
 6. Rollins College         319-330=649
 7. Michigan                324-327=651
 8. Bethune-Cookman         326-330=656
 9. Illinois                328-341=669
10. Lynn Univ.              346-335=681
11. Stetson                 342-342=684
12. Florida Atlantic        354-344=698
13. Daytona Beach CC        354-351=702
14. Jacksonville Univ.      377-370=747 

ILLINOIS INDIVIDUALS

T3rd   Laurin Kanda      75-79=154
T15th  Renata Young      79-82=161
T48th  Mari Walters      82-90=172
66th   Christine Scott   92-90=182
73rd   Lorette Lyttle   100-95=195