TEGA CAY, SC—The Winthrop University women’s golf team and Tega Cay Golf Club host the Fifth Annual Shamrock Intercollegiate Friday, Mar. 16 through Sunday, Mar. 18 at the Tega Cay G.C.

The tournament, which features 16 collegiate golf teams, begins on Thursday with the practice rounds early in the morning and a College/Amateur Tournament with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The Opening Ceremonies will be held prior to the start of the College/Amateur Tournament. There will also be a Junior Clinic at Tega Cay’s practice range from 4-5 p.m. that will be followed by a Meet-The-Players Barbecue starting at 6 p.m. at the Champions Pavilion.

The first round of the tournament will begin on Friday at 8:30 p.m. and despite an 80 percent chance of rain on Friday, the round will not be postponed unless there is lightning or the course becomes unplayable. Each round will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the players teeing off on the front and back nine.

This year’s field is up to 16 teams from 13 a year ago. Elon University returns to defend its 2006 title at the Shamrock Invitational. Other participating schools include Charleston Southern, High Point, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Jackson State, Longwood, St. Francis (PA), Western Carolina, Bucknell, East Tennessee State, The Citadel, Gardner-Webb, Belmont Abbey College, University of Texas-Pan American, Minnesota State University-Mankato and Winthrop University.

Winthrop University finished second in the 2006 Shamrock Invitational, just two strokes behind Elon.

Click here for first round tee times.