SUGAR GROVE, Ill. – After years of preparation culminating in a flurry of activity over the past week, Rich Harvest Farms and Northern Illinois University officially welcomed 132 of the nation's best collegiate women's golfers to the Sugar Grove course and "Home of the Huskies" Thursday.  The par 72 track plays will play at either 6,343 or 6,261 yards depending on the course set up each day.
 
Friday, first round action for 24 teams and 12 individuals who qualified from four regionals across the country, gets underway beginning at 7:30 a.m. (CT).  Tickets for every day of the NCAA Championships are on sale at the Rich Harvest Farms entrance off of Granart Road and online (click link above).
 
The entire field will play 54 holes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 19-21) before the top 15 teams and nine individuals (not on one of those teams) play an additional 18 holes of stroke play on Monday (May 22), after which the individual medalist will be crowned. Eight teams will advance to match play with quarterfinals and semifinals on Tuesday (May 23), with the team championship determined on Wednesday (May 24).
 
A 30-minute adjustment to the afternoon tee times for Friday through Sunday has been made to assist in a smooth transition between the last tee times of the morning wave and the first tee times of the afternoon wave. The tee times adjusted from a noon start to a 12:30 p.m. start for the afternoon wave only. The morning wave will continue as scheduled, beginning at 7:30 a.m.  For tournament central with the complete schedule links to the schedule of events, websites of participating teams and more, go to the Women's NCAA Golf Central on NIUHuskies.com and access pairings and results, at ncaa.com.
 
In order to accommodate Brigham Young's policy of not competing on Sunday, BYU's Alex White, who qualified as an individual, officially opened the Championship on Thursday afternoon as she played her third (Sunday) round.  White shot a two-over par 74 as she took the course following the conclusion of the practice round. 
 
On Thursday, the teams were treated to a Welcome Breakfast at The Pavilion at Rich Harvest Farms where owner, and course designer, Jerry Rich, NIU President Doug Baker and NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier welcomed the participants and coaches to the Championships.
 
Jim Fee, Chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Committee encouraged fans to come out to Rich Harvest Farms and to follow the action on Golf Channel.
 
"Everything has been fantastic," Fee said. "NIU as our host institution and the staff at Rich Harvest Farms have been amazing in what they've done to prepare for the event. For the teams, earning the right to be here is the hardest part.  Now that they are here they can relax and take advantage of the experience.
 
"Fans who come out to the championships are going to see great golf from these student-athletes. What we've seen over the last two years is what Golf Channel has brought to our sport has opened eyes to how talented these players are.  Seeing the tournament in person, fans will be impressed by the athletes, and definitely by Rich Harvest Farms by the championship setting that has been created here."
 
Golf Channel will have extensive coverage of the NCAA Division I Women's Championship.  Check local listings for more.  
 
During Thursday's breakfast, Marisa Messana of Clemson was presented with the NCAA's Elite 90 Award for Division I Women's Golf. 
 
The Elite 90 Award honors the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.
 
-- NIU --