MANHATTAN, Kan. - After a two-week break, the Kansas State women’s golf team returns to action to complete their 2005-06 season at the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic in Norman, Okla, before the conference tournament. The Wildcats return to the Midwest after having two tournaments over spring break in western states, one in Hawaii in which the team finished seventh of 11 and the other in Arizona where the Cats placed fourth of 15. The Susie Maxwell tees off with the first 36 holes on Sunday, April 9th, with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The conclusion to the tournament will be the following day with the remaining 18 holes.

THE FIELD:  K-State returns to a familiar field with central division competitors, as the Cats have once faced all but four of the 17 competing schools, compiling a 15-18-0 record. The top team coming into the Susie Maxwell is No. 20 Oklahoma State, followed by No. 24 SMU and No. 29 Baylor. The only other team ranked in the top 50 is Nebraska at No. 46. Rounding out the field are Arkansas-Little Rock, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri State, North Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, Oral Roberts, Texas, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UTEP and Wichita State. K-State’s record against the field competitors not in the top 50 is 15-7-0 (.682). Teams that the Wildcats have yet to face are Big 12 opponents Oklahoma State and Texas, along with No. 1-NAIA Oklahoma City, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

PLAYING HOST Jimmie Austin University of Oklahoma Golf Course:  The Susie Maxwell Berning Classic will play out at the par-72, 6,013 yard Jimmie Austin GC. The course was originally designed by architect Perry Maxwell in 1951. Maxwell’s name can be found four times on the Golfweek America’s Best 2006 Top 100 Classic Courses list at No. 9, No. 10 (Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan.), No. 25 and No. 50. In 1997, the course underwent a $5 million facelift, which was redesigned by Robert E. Cupp. A $1 million dollar indoor-practice facility was added to the grounds, which also includes locker rooms and offices for the OU men’s and women’s teams. The course has played host to several notable tournaments, including the 1997 NCAA Regionals and the 1998 Big 12 Women’s Championship.

LAST TIME OUT:  The Wildcats combined for their best performance of the season at the Mountain View Collegiate, firing 298-302-290890 (+26), four shots shy of the K-State 18-hole record. Helene Robert tied for third while shooting a 1-under 215, tying her career 54-hole low and the third best in Wildcat history. Michelle Regan shot a field-low 4-under 68 (fourth best at K-State) in the third round to move up 32 places to 25th. Kali Quick tied for 30th, scoring 74-78-75227. Hailey Mireles shot a 14-over 230 and tied for 46th. Katy Heffel finished 53rd with a 54-hole score of 233. Krista Nelson was 69th with a 24-over 240 competing as an individual.

SUSIE MAXWELL BERNING HISTORY: The Susie Maxwell Berning remains high on K-State’s list of most frequented tournaments. Going back to 1986, the Wildcats have been to this tournament 18 times, not participating only two springs since the first appearance. Since 2001, the team has done no worse than sixth place, but no better than fourth. Prior to 2001, the team struggled and finished in the bottom half of the competitors each year. In 2001, the Cats’ top finisher was Carrie Chambers, who tied for sixth with a 223. In 2003, Christine Boucher did one better by placing fifth. The following year Boucher tied for third, shooting 73-73-78224. Last spring, K-State finished 6th of 16, with Helene Robert as the top finisher, tying for 20th.

K-State’s Susie Maxwell Berning Classic Lineup

Name                                      Yr.     Hometown             Rnds               Avg.

Katy Heffel                               Jr.     Mesa, Ariz.                 27                  79.56

Hailey Mireles                          So.     Garden City, Kan.       27                  79.07

Kali Quick                                So.     Nampa, Idaho              27                  77.37

Michelle Regan                        So.     Prairie Village, Kan.    24                  77.71

Helene Robert                           Jr.     Lac Brome, Quebec   27                  76.59

Krista Nelson (ind.)                  Fr.     Overland Park, Kan.   12                  84.67