RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University men's and women's golf teams will begin their spring seasons this weekend by participating in the Fripp Island Intercollegiate Tournament in Fripp Island, SC.

Both Colonel squads are going to be faced with some stiff competition in this tourney with teams like Notre Dame, Michigan and several top teams entered in the fields.

Eastern's men's team's highlights from the 1998 fall season included winning the 13-team Colonel Classic and placing third in an 11-team field at the Murray State Invitational. The Colonels closed the fall with a 10^th place finish at the Anchor Bay Intercollegiate Tournament, hosted by Francis Marion University in Florence, SC.

"The guys have practiced a lot over the winter, and we are looking forward to being able to play in some warmer weather," said EKU men's golf coach Pat Stephens.

Stephens also said he is looking for team leadership out of seniors Andrew Games and Mason Guy, but he is expecting juniors Eric Willenbrink and Josh Lee to step up their play in the spring season as well.

EKU's women's team is coming off a strong 1998 fall season that saw Eastern finish in the top ten in each of six fall tourneys. Top team finishes included second place in the Western Carolina University Invitational and tieing for the second spot in the Tennessee Tech Classic.

Though the women's team is still relatively young with only one senior and three juniors on the roster, Eastern's women's coach Joni Stephens believes all her players are very comparable in skill.

"We're already back to the level of play that we were at the end of the fall season, and that is a good sign," said Stephens.

Team members include senior Julie Bourne; juniors Jackie Biro, Michelle Biro and Krissie Kirby; sophomores Julie Estes, Heather Faesy, Samantha Moses and Colleen Yaeger; and freshman Kelli Wilson.

DM/kp