LITTLE ROCK — Roachell, Bennett make USGA event
Conway’s Summar Roachell shot a 1-over-par 73 Tuesday and was the medalist for U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship qualifying at Hot Springs Country Club’s Arlington Course.
Roachell and Hot Springs Village’s Grier Bennett earned the two available spots at The Country Club of North Carolina from July 19-24.
“We’re friends and I’m kind of excited,” Roachell said. “Two people from Arkansas get to go. That’s great.”
Bennett shot 10-over-par 82 and had to win a playoff to advance. She was tied with Katie Webb of Heber Springs and Anna McMullen of Monroe, La.
“I was very surprised,” Bennett said of her score getting her into the playoff. “I guess some other people had a bad day too.”
Webb finished more than an hour before the rest of the field and was already headed home when they determined she was needed for a playoff.
That left Bennett and McMullen for the playoff, which was won by Bennett, 17, with a par on the first hole.
“I’m just excited to go with Summar and be a part of something I’ve never done before,” Bennett said. “Even though I played bad today, I’m excited about the opportunity.”
Roachell, 15, will make her first appearance at a United States Golf Association national event.
“I’m excited. I’ve played this event the past few years and I’ve gotten close every time. It’s good to finally get to go,” Roachell said.
The course setup and temperatures reaching the upper 90s had an effect on most of the field. Still, Roachell was the only player to break 40 on either the front or back nine on Tuesday. She shot 38-35.
Her 35 was also the only nine holes played below par on Tuesday.
Jeffrey Slatton
FOOTBALL
Hogs No. 20 in preseason poll
Arkansas is ranked No. 20 in the preseason poll by Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, which named Razorbacks quarterback Ryan Mallett its preseason national offensive player of the year.
Mallett, who was featured on the yearbook’s cover, and tight end D.J. Williams were named to the publication’s first-team All-America unit.
Mallett set or tied 16 school records in 2009. His 32 total touchdowns and 30 career touchdown passes rank as the highest total by an active SEC player entering the 2010 season.
Williams will enter the year as Arkansas’ active leader in career receptions (98), receiving yards (1,228) and games played (38).
Sports, Pages 19 on 06/23/2010