Razorbacks Lewis, Lopez and Marks To Play In Front of Hometown Crowd

ROGERS - There’s something special happening in the women’s golf program at the University of Arkansas.

Three Razorbacks of the program’s past and present will enjoy playing in front of a hometown crowd this week at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. Arkansas alumna and defending champion Stacy Lewis as well as two members of the University’s women’s golf team, tournament invite Gaby Lopez and Monday qualifier Samantha Marks, will compete this week in what is a unique opportunity on the LPGA Tour.

“There's no other tournament we have on our schedule that offers this opportunity, especially specifically for one team,” Lewis told the media Wednesday.  “To provide an opportunity straight into the tournament, nobody else can say that.  I think that's what makes this place special, what makes this tournament and the university so special.”

Each year a tournament invitation is provided to a member of the women’s golf team at Arkansas.  Lewis was a four-time All American and 12-time winner during her time at the University in what was a life changing experience for the former world No.1.

“I felt like I matured as a person and I felt like along the way your game gets better and you learn how to manage your time really well,” Lewis said. “If I had gone anywhere else to school, I don't think I would be where I am.  This place and this town, the university was really important to all the success I've had.”

Lewis gives back to her alma mater by serving as a volunteer assistant coach to her former team, providing guidance and advice to current players including Marks and Lopez.

“She’s not only our assistant coach, but she's a close friend and I think we can come to her and ask her a lot of questions and she'll answer all of them,” Lopez said. “For me, she's shown me a lot.  She's a role model to follow and she's shown me that what seems impossible can be possible.”

This year marks the third start for Lopez in this event, finishing T-57 last year after missing the cut in 2013. The Mexico City native has played twice in her home country’s Lorena Ochoa Invitational as well, helping the college junior better manage her emotions and her game.

“Looking back to last year, I made the cut so I think that's an improvement,” Lopez said.  “I see myself climbing the ladder and just really excited to see the process and how we talked about the improvement of our games is just really cool, to see how the University of Arkansas has helped me a lot.”

Fellow teammate Samantha Marks makes her first start here this week, playing her way into the field by Monday qualifying. Marks bounced back from a bogey-bogey start to post 71 and earn one of two available spots in the qualifier.

“I was excited to get the opportunity to qualify on Monday and then even more excited to play the way I did,” said Marks. “Honestly, I wasn't surprised with the way I played.  I started off bogey‑bogey, so that was interesting.  I was so nervous.  I was telling Gaby, I don't really get that like physically nervous, but I felt like I was going to throw up.  But I was really, really excited and I ended up playing well after those two bumps in the road at the beginning.  I'm ready for a good week and I think my game is where it needs to be so I'm excited.”

The teammates will lean on their coach’s advice as they follow in her footsteps this week at Pinnacle Country Club, hoping not only to play well this weekend but to also create the same success Lewis has found on the LPGA Tour.

“She talks about having patience and like she was talking about the things she could control and things she can't control, that's all really important,” Marks said. “What a great person to look up to, and even coming from the same program, it's really awesome to have her around.”

“She just showed me that working hard and a love for the game can take you to No. 1 in the world,” said Lopez. “So it's just that little hope and keep working hard to get where I want to go and accomplish my goals on the LPGA in the near future.”

Lopez is grouped with Cheyenne Woods and Kelly Shon on Friday and Saturday.  Marks is grouped with Kim Kaufman and Pernilla Lindberg during the first two rounds of this 54-hole event. Lewis is grouped with Sandra Gal and Mariajo Uribe.