THE LAMBERT ACRES COURSE

For the 12th year in a row, the Lambert Acres Golf Club in Maryville, Tenn., will serve as one of the nation’s most scenic courses for the Tennessee Lady Volunteer cross country team. A 27-hole golf course, Lambert Acres is nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Great Smoky Mountains and boasts 9,525 yards of rolling hills with sloping grades throughout the entire layout.

The Lady Vols have hosted 12 meets at Lambert Acres in the previous 11 years they have competed there. In addition to playing host to the Tennessee Invitational nine times and the NCAA South Regional in 2002, 2006 and 2008, the Orange and White also welcomed the rest of the Southeastern Conference for the 1998 SEC Championships. It was at that meet that Amy Yoder of Arkansas set the 5K course record with a 16:52.22 pace en route to victory. Auburn’s Hollie Knight posted the 6K standard of 20:29.67 at the 2008 NCAA South Regional, while Lady Vol Sarah Bowman was the runner-up in 20:50.29 for the No. 2 mark.

In 2009, the Lady Vols will make one appearance on the picturesque Blount County course, as they run at home in the Tennessee Invitational on Sept. 19.

This year’s Tennessee Invitational will feature the 8K men’s race at 8:30 a.m., followed by the women’s 5K event at 9:15. The 2009 Tennessee Invite will be the 10th edition of the meet.

The Big Orange women captured the Tennessee Invitational in 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008, and tied for the title in 1999. Maureen Ferris (1998), Sharon Dickie (2000, 2002) and Brooke Novak (2004) each legged out individual titles for the Lady Vols during their respective careers, and most recent UT standout Sarah Bowman began hers with one in 2005 and closed it with another in 2008. In addition to the downgrading of the Tennessee Invitational in 2007 to a time trial, no meet was held in 2001. That season, the tragic events of Sept. 11 brought about the cancellation of the Sept. 14-scheduled event.

A year ago at the Tennessee Invitational on Sept. 19, the Big Orange women scored 19 points to roll past runner-up Chattanooga (40) and third-place Georgia Tech (75). Bowman set the tone for UT, winning by more than a minute with a 17:21 clocking that was the seventh-best 5K effort ever registered on the course.

The Big Orange’s hosting of the NCAA South Regional last season was the school’s third in the past seven years. UT began a spree of four straight regional titles by triumphing at Lambert Acres in 2002. The Lady Vols were third on their home course in 2006 and 2008 and placed fourth in Gainesville, Fla., in 2007 in their last three South meets.

Directions to Lambert Acres Golf Club

Lambert Acres Golf Course
3402 Tuckaleechee Pike
Maryville, TN 37803
865/982-9838

Holiday Inn Downtown to Lambert Acres - 23 Miles
Out of the parking lot, turn left onto Henley Street, get in the far right lane, go through the tunnel and take I-40 West, take Alcoa Hwy exit US 129 South. Go 11 Miles to TN 35 (this is one mile past McGhee-Tyson Airport) Bear left onto TN 35, travel approximately 5 miles to US 321 North. Bear left onto 321 North. Take 321 North for 5 miles to Tuckaleechee Pike. You will see a Lambert Acres Golf Club sign on the right side of the road and an Aztex gas station will be on the left. Tuckaleechee Pike is on the right. Turn right onto Tuckaleechee Pike, Lambert Acres is 1/2 mile on left.

University of Tennessee to Lambert Acres - 22 Miles
Take Cumberland Avenue to Alcoa Highway 129 South. Take 129 South, Go 11 Miles to TN 35 (this is one mile past McGhee-Tyson Airport). Bear left onto TN 35, travel approximately 5 miles to US 321 North, Bear left onto 321 North. Take 321 North for 5 miles to Tuckaleechee Pike. You will see a Lambert Acres Golf Club sign on the right side of the road and an Aztex gas station will be on the left. Tuckaleechee Pike is on the right. Turn right onto Tuckaleechee Pike. Lambert Acres is 1/2 mile on left.

Airport to Lambert Acres - 9 Miles
Turn right out of airport onto Alcoa Hwy 129 South. Bear left onto TN 35, travel approximately 5 miles to US 321 North, bear left onto 321 North. Take 321 North for 5 miles to Tuckaleechee Pike. You will see a Lambert Acres Golf Club sign on the right side of the road and an Aztex gas station will be on the left. Tuckaleechee Pike is on the right. Turn right onto Tuckaleechee Pike. Lambert Acres is 1/2 mile on left.

I-40 to Lambert Acres - 20 Miles
Take I-40 to Alcoa Hwy 129 South. Go 11 miles to TN 35 (this is one mile past McGhee- Tyson Airport). Bear left onto TN 35, travel approximately 5 miles to US 321 North, bear left onto 321 North. Take 321 North for 5 miles to Tuckaleechee Pike. You will see a Lambert Acres Golf Club sign on the right side of the road and an Aztex gas station will be on the left. Tuckaleechee Pike is on the right. Turn right onto Tuckaleechee Pike. Lambert Acres is 1/2 mile on left.