Defending champion Illinois State has been picked to win this week's 2009 State Farm MVC Women’s Golf Championship, according to a pre-championship poll of league coaches. The Redbirds, led by second-year coach Darby Sligh, narrowly edged host Drake University in the voting.

Lake Panorama National Resort in Panora, Iowa is the host site for the tournament, which includes 18 holes of play Friday through Sunday. The team score for the 54-hole competition will be comprised of the best four of five scores for each 18-hole round from each team. The final score is determined by totaling each daily round.

Coach Jim Hamilton's University of Evansville Purple Aces are led by sophomore Emily Johnson, the team leader with an 80.6 stroke average through the team's first 20 rounds of competition in 2008-09. Right behind are Vandi Gooch (81.72) and Lauren Ellerman (82.05).

Pairings on the first day will be determined by the pre-championship coaches’ poll with the number five golfers on the lowest scoring teams teeing off first; not more than one player per school per threesome where possible. Pairings for subsequent rounds shall be based on the results of the previous round, with the highest scoring teams and individuals teeing off first. Play will begin at 8:00 a.m. CDT each day.

Schedule of Events

Thursday April 16

Practice round

Coaches Meeting at 6:00



Friday, April 17

First Round beginning at 8 a.m. off No. 1



Saturday, April 18

Second Round beginning at 8 a.m. off No. 1



Sunday, April 19

Final Round beginning at 8 a.m. off both No. 1 and No. 10

Awards ceremony to follow



Click here for live stats throughout the tournament