Feb. 23, 1999

The University of Missouri women's golf team got its 1999 spring season off to a flying start, as the Tigers won the GTE MO-Morial Invitational, held Feb. 22-23 at Pebble Creek Country Club in College Station, Texas.

Missouri won the prestigious tournament by nine strokes over a trio of fellow Big 12 schools. Missouri had a three-round team total of 940, better than second-place Oklahoma (949), Baylor (3rd - 950) and host Texas A&M (4th - 953). Missouri improved its team total in each round, shooting 318 in the first round, and following with successive scores of 313 and 309. The final-round 309 score was the best team round of the entire tournament. The Tigers rallied from two shots back on the final day to win the invitational over a field of 15 teams, including six other Big 12 teams. The Tigers became just the second team other than Texas A&M to win the title.

"We played very well, well enough to beat A&M which was great," said Tiger Head Coach TOM LOYD, who took over the program when Mary Scott retired last summer. "A&M has a great team and will get even better."

Individually, Missouri was led by sophomore JAMIE TUCKER, who finished second overall, with a three-round total of 230 (77-78-75). The finish is Tucker's best as a Tiger, after transferring to MU from Kansas last year. Tucker finished six strokes back of medalist Anna Jonsson of Texas A&M, who won with a total of 224.

Senior all-star STEFANIE MITCHELL was just one stroke behind Tucker, as Mitchell finished in third, with a total of 231 (78-76-77).

Sophomore AMELIA MOSES tied for 20th at 239 (83-79-77) after recovering from a first-round 83. Freshman NISHA SADEKAR tied for 24th at 241 (81-80-80) and senior LETITIA MOSES had three straight rounds in the 80s to finish in 43rd, with a total of 246 (82-84-80).