In 1997, a new tradition began in the collegiate women’s golf world: the Mercedes-Benz Women’s Collegiate Championships. Established by the University of Tennessee Women’s Athletics Department with the support of Mercedes-Benz of North America, top-notch women’s golf has found a home in Knoxville. Hosting a quality golf tournament was one of the goals set forth by Tennessee when women’s golf became a varsity sport 16 years ago. Women’s Athletics Director Joan Cronan and Volunteer Assistant Coach Ann Furrow laid the foundation for such an event. With the support of title sponsor Mercedes-Benz and many presenting sponsors, the program reached its goal with the inaugural tournament.

Now in its 13th year, the fall tournament continues to showcase the premier women’s golf programs from across the nation. During the past 12 years, more than half of the field has been comprised of top-25 teams. Additionally, some of the country’s top individuals highlight the lineup.

Held at Knoxville’s Fox Den Country Club, the Mercedes-Benz Women’s Collegiate Championships span over three days and will feature 18 teams in 2009. Participants have a chance to challenge the nation’s best golfers on one of Tennessee’s premier courses. Tournament events also provide area golf fans with a weekend of excitement.

The event kicks off on Thursday with practice rounds and the team dinner. Friday evening, following the first round, is highlighted by the Legends of Women’s Golf Banquet, honoring individuals who have made a significant contribution to women’s golf in the U.S. Closing ceremonies after Sunday’s final round recognize the tournament’s team and individual champions.

Strong Field Makes Run at Fox Den

The tradition of excellence continues into the 13th year of the event. Of the 18 squads competing in this year’s tournament, 11 are ranked in the Golfstat top 50. Additionally, 23 players are among Golfstat top 100.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz is hosted by Tennessee (Golfstat No. 22), which finished eighth in last year’s event. The Lady Vols return five letterwinners from last year’s squad, including Golfweek honorable mention All-America selection Nathalie Mansson. The native of Stockholm, Sweden is currently the lone Lady Vol ranked in the Golfstat top 100, where she is No. 55. Mansson boasted a scoring average of 73.79 last season while posting a team-best 10 rounds of par or better.

Mansson was the highest-finishing Lady Vol at last month’s Duramed Cougar Classic, where she carded a 215 (76-67-72), which put her in a five-way tie for 10th place. Newcomer Erica Popson of Davenport, Fla., should be a strong presence for Tennessee this season as well. The freshman posted a three-day score of 219 in her collegiate debut. Senior Ginny Brown finished tied for 16th at the 2009 NCAA Championships, making her the highest-returning NCAA finisher in this year’s field.

Defending champion LSU (Golfstat No. 5) is the highest-ranked team in the field, thanks in large part to a strong core of underclassmen. Sophomore Tessa Teachman (No. 9) is the highest-ranked individual player in this year’s tournament. Classmate Jacqueline Hedwall (No. 35) finished in a tie for 19th in last year’s event. Talented frosh Mary Michael Maggio is also expected to contribute. Additionally, LSU boasts the top returning individual finisher in junior Megan McChrystal (No. 77), who finished tied for fourth in 2008. McChrystal was named second team All-America by the National Golf Coaches Association last season.

First-year coach Jan Dowling and the Florida Gators (Golfstat No. 8) return to the Mercedes-Benz for the first time since winning the event in 2007. The tandem of sophomore Evan Jensen (No. 19) and freshman Amelia Lewis (No. 39) should once again have the Gators in contention for the tournament crown.

Perennial Big Ten power Ohio State (Golfstat No. 10) should be considered among the favorites to win the 2009 Mercedes-Benz. The Buckeyes won the tournament in 2004 and 2005, making them one of two teams to ever claim multiple Mercedes-Benz titles. Sophomore Allie White (No. 42) has already helped lead the Buckeyes to a pair of top-five finishes this season, including a runner-up at the Lady Northern Invitational.

Chattanooga (Golfstat No. 18) will make the two-hour trek up I-75 to compete in its second consecutive Mercedes-Benz. The Mocs tied for ninth at last year’s event and have opened the 2009-10 season in impressive fashion. Coach Colette Murray’s team finished third at the Golfweek Conference Challenge and followed that up with a tie for third at the Bettie Lou Evans Fall Invitational. Sophomore Maria Salinas posted a top-10 finish at the 2008 Mercedes-Benz competition.

Tulane (Golfstat No. 19) is making a return trip to the Mercedes-Benz and is powered by the junior tandem of Janine Fellows (No. 33) Linn Gustafsson (No. 70).

South Carolina (Golfstat No. 20) boasts a strong team once again this season. Paced by senior Bénédicte Toumpsin, a two-time All-SEC selection, the Gamecocks appear poised to make a run at the SEC Championship. Katie Burnett, a sophomore from Brunswick, Ga., currently sits at No. 22 in the Golfstat rankings after posting a top-20 finish at the Mason Rudolph Women’s Championship.

Wake Forest (Golfstat No. 24) is led by defending ACC Champion Natalie Sheary (No. 84), who was named a preseason second team All-American by Golfweek. Sophomore Cheyenne Woods (No. 100) should also be a factor for the Demon Deacons this season.

An argument could be made that Louisville (Golfstat No. 25) is off to the best start of any team in this year’s field. Following a tie for third at the season-opening Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic, head coach Kelly Myers Rothberg’s squad won the Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup, besting in-state rival Kentucky by 32 strokes. Junior Sara-Maude Juneau (No. 76) won the individual title in that event. Laura Anderson, a junior from Tompkinsville, Ky., is the highest-ranked individual player on the team, coming in at No. 21 in the Golfstat rankings.

Furman (Golfstat No. 39) has opened the season with two top-five finishes, including a third place showing at the Paladin Invitational. Defending Southern Conference individual champion Stefanie Kenoyer (No. 53) should contend for the individual title.

Making its first appearance in the tournament since 2000 is TCU (Golfstat No. 27). Rachel Raastad (No. 11) is one of the top individuals in the field, as evidenced by the fact that the sophomore from Asker, Norway, posted a 6-under-par 213 (69-73-71) at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Championships last month.

Kent State is back at the Mercedes-Benz for a second straight year. The Golden Flashes are led by junior Sarah Bradley (No. 24), who tied for eighth at the NGCA Match Play Qualifier last month.

Arkansas is appearing in its seventh consecutive Mercedes-Benz tournament, the longest active streak of any visiting team. The Razorbacks are paced by junior Kelli Shean (No. 16), who finished tied for eighth at last year’s event.

Last year’s runner-up N.C. State is back and looking to claim the top prize. Coach Page Marsh is fielding an experienced team that includes six upperclassmen (four seniors).

Notre Dame is one of two BIG EAST teams in the field (Louisville being the other). The Fighting Irish finished third in the Bettie Lou Evans Invitational, thanks in large part to the play of junior So Hyun Park, who posted a two-day score of 147 (75-72) en route to a tie for eighth place.

Ole Miss and head coach Michele Drinkard return six letterwinners from a team that finished fifth in this event last season. Sara Grantham, a senior from Wilsonville, Ala., has five career top-10 finishes.

Kentucky is the seventh SEC team in the field, returning to its second consecutive Mercedes-Benz. The Wildcats finished second to Louisville at last month’s Napa River Grill Cardinal Classic.

UTSA rounds out this year’s Mercedes-Benz tournament field. Head Coach Carrie Cole has strong ties to Tennessee, as she was a four-year letterwinner for the Lady Vols and an assistant coach from 2004-08 before taking over the Roadrunners last season.