Third-ranked Hogs face SEC-heavy field at Evans-Derby

FAYETTEVILLE — Third-ranked Arkansas faces a SEC-heavy field at the Evans-Derby Experience hosted by Auburn, March 18-20.

The Evans-Derby Experience was previously known as the Auburn Tiger-Derby Invitational and was last played during the 2008-09 season.

The tournament is named in honor of former Auburn women’s golf head coaches Kim Evans (1994-2015) and Virginia Derby Grimes (1991-94).

It is another talented field that includes three of the top-5 teams and four top-10 teams along with seven SEC programs at the Auburn University Club course.

Inside the Ropes
Date: March 18-20
Location: Auburn University Club, Auburn, Alabama
Course: Par 72 | 6,280 Yards
Live Scoring: Golfstat.com
History: This is Arkansas’ first appearance at the event

The Razorbacks are one of the premier teams in the field.

Ranked third in the Golfweek.com standings, Arkansas sends three players who were selected to the Palmer Cup teams and who are on the ANNIKA Award watch list for the top player in women’s collegiate golf.

Junior Maria Fassi headlines that trio of talent and leads the team with a 69.67 stroke average. She is No. 2 on the ANNIKA Award watch list and ranks No. 2 in the SEC, No. 3 in Golfstat.com and No. 4 in the Golfweek.com standings.

Fassi was the top international woman selected to the Palmer Cup team and has four collegiate wins this season.

Team USA Palmer Cup selections Dylan Kim and Alana Uriell rank second and third for the Razorbacks, respectively, and have been a key part of four team titles in six events this season. Kim checks in with a 71.17 stroke average followed by Uriell at 71.22 through 18 rounds this year.

Kaylee Benton, Cara Gorlei and Maria Hoyos will also travel for Arkansas this weekend. Benton has also played in all six events while Gorlei was a steady member of the fall lineup. Freshman Hoyos has taken part in two events for Arkansas.

The Lineup
Maria Fassi Jr. 69.67
Dylan Kim Jr. 71.17
Alana Uriell Sr. 71.22
Kaylee Benton Jr. 74.44
Cara Gorlei Jr. 72.92
Maria Hoyos Fr. 74.67

The Field
No. 2 Alabama
No. 3 Arkansas
No. 27 Auburn
No. 5 Duke
No. 12 Florida
No. 31 Florida State
No. 26 Louisville
No. 76 Michigan
No. 41 Ole Miss
No. 66 Mississippi State
No. 9 South Carolina
No. 22 Wake Forest