The Alabama women’s golf team is looking forward to defending their

title from their last appearance at the Southeastern Conference Championships.

“We have a good team, and we’ve proven that,” head coach Mic Potter

said. “We’ve won half of our tournaments so far. We’re starting to

play really well again and hit a lot of quality shots. This is a good

golf team, and I have a lot of faith and trust in them.”

Last year, the Tide finished in first place at the SEC Championships

with a 4-under-par 848. Junior Brooke Pancake led the team to the

victory and tied for fifth with a 2-under-par 211.

“Hopefully, I can do the same,” Pancake said. “I know that each of us

is striving to individually win. This has been my goal all year

besides nationals. Ever since I started the spring season, I wanted to

help lead the team going into this tournament. I would love an

individual win to help bring another team title.”

Pancake said she is currently recovering from strep throat and is

focusing on feeling better for the tournament. She is currently ranked

at No. 6, according to Golfweek/Sagarin rankings. She earned her first

medalist honors this season at the Tar Heel Invitational with an

11-under-par 205.

Freshman Stephanie Meadow has led the team in every tournament during

the team’s spring season, including earning her first medalist honors

at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in February.

“She’s competitive every week because she never really does anything

different,” Potter said. “She has a game plan and she sticks to it by

hitting solid shots. She doesn’t let good shots or bad shots get her

on too high or low an emotional level, so I expect her to just continue

doing what she’s been doing and get results when she does that.”

The Tide has captured four titles out of eight tournaments this season

so far and is currently ranked No. 3, according to Golfweek/Sagarin

rankings.

The Tide currently tops the rankings for SEC teams. LSU is the

only other SEC team currently ranked in the top 10. The Tigers are No. 6,

according to Golfweek/Sagarin rankings. There are four other SEC teams

ranked in the top 20, which are Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia and

Auburn.

“Rankings are good, but the tournament is three days of golf and

anything can happen,” Meadow said. “We are probably expected to win,

but we can’t address it like that. We have to go out and win by as

much as we can and play the best we can.”

Last year, the team had a home-course advantage because the SEC

Championships were held in Tuscaloosa. This year the championships

will be held in Auburn.

“It’s a short trip, which is nice when you don’t have to travel a long

distance,” Potter said. “We’ve been there and played, and we’re fairly

comfortable on the golf course. I feel good about our preparation.”

The Tide will be competing in the SEC Championships in Auburn Friday to Sunday.