- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock announces 2019-20 women’s golf schedule

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 16:28:21 +0000

Little Rock head women’s golf coach has released the as she begins her first season at the helm. Little Rock’s schedule includes 10 events, spanning seven different states, including the Trojans’ annual host tournament in Hot Springs Village. The season begins with a pair of familiar locations for the Trojans as Little Rock opens the fall schedule Sept. 14-16 at the South Alabama Intercollegiate in Mobile. The Trojans then head north to Columbia, Missouri, for the annual Johnie Imes Invitational, hosted by Missouri, Sept. 30–Oct. 2. A pair of new tournaments open the month of October for Little Rock, beginning with a return trip to Alabama for the Chris Banister Golf Classic, hosted by Jacksonville State, Oct. 7-8 in Glencoe. The Trojans then make the short trip up to Jonesboro for the Arkansas State Lady Red Wolves Classic, being held Oct. 14-15. Little Rock closes out the fall portion of its schedule with the annual Little Rock Women’s Golf Classic, being held Oct. 27-29 at Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs Village. One of the highlights of the season, the Trojans will welcome over a dozen programs to central Arkansas for the three-day fall finale. After a nearly four month winter break, Little Rock returns to the course with three familiar tournaments to start the spring season. The first of those will be held Feb. 10-11 when the Trojans compete in the Texas State Invitational, being held in Kyle, Texas. The Trojans then make their yearly trip to Arizona for the Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Western Michigan and held February 21-23 in Rio Verde, Arizona. Little Rock will then make a return trip to Dade City, Florida, for the 2020 Spring Break Shootout, hosted by Western Kentucky March 16-17. The final tune-up before the Sun Belt meet will take the Trojans south to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, taking part in the LSU Tiger Golf Classic April 4-5. That leads into the 2020 Sun Belt Conference Championship, being held April 20-22 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida. Wylie enters the 2019-20 season with five returners, including four sophomores, all of which have seen significant playing time during their Trojan careers. Little Rock is looking to build off last season’s performance which saw the Trojans post four top-10 team finishes and a 309.09 scoring average.

Six Trojans named All-America Scholars in program record

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 13:14:45 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s women’s golf team continues to show their commitment in the classroom as a program-record six Trojans were named Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-America Scholars for the 2018-19 season. ��Ծ��ǰ��, junior and freshmen ,��,��Ի�� were each recognized for their efforts, named to the team that has some of the most stringent academic requirements in college athletics. To be eligible, a player must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. All six posted a perfect 4.0 GPA in the spring semester, helping lead the Trojan women’s golf program to a combined 3.726 GPA during the competition semester. Each boast a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher with the program’s cumulative mark just shy of 3.7. For Blennow, the honor marks her fourth WGCA All-American Scholar accolade of her career as she earned her degree in marketing in May. Wakeford-Wesmann was recognized for the second time in her Trojan career while the four freshmen each picked up their first career All-American Scholar honors. The six selections for Little Rock is the most of any Sun Belt Conference school as nearly 1,100 golfers from across all levels of collegiate athletics were recognized. The half dozen selections also sets a new program record for the Trojans, who had five golfers selected in 2018, 2017, 2015, and 2014. Founded in 1983, the WGCA is a non-profit organization representing women’s collegiate golf coaches. The WGCA represents over 600 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing its members and the student-athletes they represent.

2019 Golf Shamble to honor Kim Backus

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 14:18:21 +0000

The fifth annual Little Rock Golf Shamble has been set for Monday, Aug. 26, at Pleasant Valley Country Club. This year’s event will honor Kim Backus, who has been a tremendous supporter of the Little Rock golf programs for a number of years. “Kim Backus is one of the most humble and selfless people I have ever met,” said Director of Golf Jake Harrington. “Everything he does is because he genuinely cares about those around him. For over 30 years, the men’s and women’s golf coaches at Little Rock have relied on one man to outfit their players with the best apparel possible, and that is Kim Backus.” “In addition, his passion for the game of golf, our student-athletes, and this community are second to none. He is one of the most respected people in the Little Rock golf community and has made an incredible impact on the lives of our current and former student athletes and coaches. I am excited to be able to honor him this August for all that he has done for Little Rock golf.” Backus has been an avid supporter of Little Rock men’s and women’s golf programs and he and his wife Priscilla have also been long time season ticket holders for basketball. “We’re very appreciative of Kim Backus and his decades-long support of our Trojan student-athletes,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. “He has gone above and beyond to assist our golf program and it seems only fitting to honor him at this year’s Golf Shamble.” Backus will join Norwood, John Elliott, Dan Snider, and Bruce Munson as past honorees at the annual shamble. “Kim has done more for golf in Arkansas and for the Little Rock golf program than any person I know,” said former head coach and Trojan Hall of Famer Wyn Norwood. “He’s done it from a position not wanting or expecting any gratitude. He does it for his love of golf and for the community.” The Little Rock Golf Shamble has evolved into an incredibly successful event, raising funds to support both the Trojan men’s and women’s golf programs. The 2018 event raised nearly $56,000 for the teams, which goes directly to help the Little Rock golf student-athletes compete at the highest level. The entry fee for this year’s event is $1,600 per team as each foursome will compete with a “celebrity,” including former and current Trojan golf student-athletes. Team entries will be served on a first-come, first-served basis as spots fill up fast. For more information, please contact Tyson Baldwin, director of athletic advancement, at 501-350-4653 or twbaldwin@ualr.edu.

Trojans announce 2018-19 women’s golf schedule

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 13:57:00 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock head women’s golf coach has released the Trojans’ 2018-19 schedule, a slate which takes Little Rock to six different states and includes the Trojans’ annual home meet in Hot Springs Village. Little Rock opens the season with a pair of events in September, beginning with the Missouri State Payne Stewart Memorial in Springfield, Missouri, Sept. 10-11. The Trojans then head east to North Carolina for the East Carolina Pirate Collegiate Classic, being held Sept. 17-18 in Greenville. October brings three tournaments to Little Rock’s schedule, beginning with a return trip to Missouri for the annual Johnie Imes Invitational, hosted by Missouri, Oct. 1-3 in Columbia. The Trojans then make the first of three trips to Texas Oct. 22-23, competing in the first UT-Arlington Women’s Golf Classic in Mansfield. Little Rock then returns to Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs Village for the annual Little Rock Women’s Golf Classic Oct. 28-30. The event will bring 15 teams to compete in what has become one of the favorite events of the season for those who compete. It will also mark women’s golf’s competition for the newly-created Governor’s I-40 Showdown against Central Arkansas. Following a three-month hiatus, Little Rock begins the spring portion of its schedule in Texas, competing in the Texas State Invitational in San Marcos Feb. 11-12. The Trojans then make their annual trip to Rio Verde, Arizona, for the Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational, being held Feb. 22-24. Two tournaments await Little Rock in the month of March, beginning in Dade City, Florida, for the Spring Break Shootout, hosted by Western Kentucky, taking place March 11-12. Little Rock then makes its final trip to the Lone Star state March 18-19, taking part in the Houston Baptist Husky Invitational in Houston. April begins with the Trojans’ final regular season tune-up as Little Rock will make the short drive up I-40 to Memphis, Tennessee, for the Memphis Tiger Invitational April 1-2. That leads into the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Championship April 15-17, being held at the LPGA Invitational in Daytona Beach, Florida. Little Rock will have a good blend of returners and newcomers in 2018-19 as the Trojans return three competitors from last season, comprised of seniors ��Ի�� and junior . The Trojans’ roster will be truly international this season, represented by golfers from Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Kenya, and Canada.

Bonanno’s experience as a student-athlete builds skills for successful future

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 13:34:04 +0000

Sabrina Bonanno, a recent graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and four-year veteran of the Trojans , has been playing golf for as long as she can remember. Bonanno began playing golf with her father at the age of 3. One month later and the toddler/rising golf star already had her first golf coach. However, Bonanno said she didn’t get “serious” about golf until she was 6 or 7 and began playing in tournaments. “Most kids got to play with their friends, but I got to play at the golf course,” Bonanno said. “During my junior year at Ridgewood Community High School in Norridge, Illinois, I started looking at schools to play golf, and I really wanted to go south. I liked Little Rock from the moment I stepped on campus and met my coach.” Bridgett Norwood, head coach of the Women’s Golf Team, became a mentor and guide for Bonanno, who was living away from home for the first time. “Coach Norwood really cared about how far you could go with your own game,” Bonanno said. “She cared about education. She helped me grow as a person and an athlete. She became like a second mom to me since we were all so far away from home.” As a student-athlete, Bonanno had the opportunity to travel and challenge her skills as a competitor. “During my freshman year, I won an individual tournament alongside a team win and that was one of my ultimate favorite experiences as a student-athlete,” Bonanno said. “We went to Utah the first semester of my senior year, and it was nice to experience a different place and culture. I constantly got to travel and experience these things with my best friends on the team.” Bonanno and fellow members of the golf team give back to the community by volunteering as assistant coaches at Central Arkansas First Tee and at charity golf tournaments. She was also a member of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which offers input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes. Although Bonanno is no longer eligible to play collegiate golf, she plans to volunteer with the team as a graduate student.

Sabrina Bonanno ends her Trojan career as a second team All-Sun Belt Conference selection.

“We have two golf tournaments. Coach Norwood doesn’t have an official assistant coach, so I want to help her plan those tournaments. I always want to give back to the golf team,” she said. “I can also practice with the team, and it’s a good opportunity for me to be involved in something I already missed.” In May, Bonanno was named a second team All-Sun Belt Conference selection. It was the third all-conference honor of Bonanno’s time as a Trojan, capping her stellar career in Little Rock. Bonanno ends her Little Rock career making quite a mark on the Trojan record book, ranking third all-time in career scoring average (75.76) as well as career rounds played (120). She ranks second all-time in career birdies (250) and is tied for first in career eagles (five), finishing among the individual top-20 in 30 of her 41 events played. One of the things she misses the most about being a student-athlete is the closeness of her golf family. “My coach and everyone associated with the golf team worked together as a big family,” Bonanno said. “The Athletics Department staff was great at getting someone if I needed help with school or needed someone to talk to. We were always, always together. We were all like sisters, and it was so sad to see the girls who graduated because it’s like you lost a family member. That’s the hard part about being on a team. You always look forward to meeting up with them afterwards.” Bonanno graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She is spending the summer getting some professional experience as a marketing intern at The Hill Group in Franklin Park, Illinois, before returning to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in the fall as a Master of Business Administration student and graduate assistant at the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center.

Coach Bridgett Norwood and the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock women’s golf team

“I am hoping for some potential opportunities to work in Little Rock in the sporting industry, specifically golf, and maybe try to play some golf tournaments,” she said. “It’s always been a goal of mine to play professional, but if that didn’t work out, I would still play as many amateur tournaments as I could.” After she completes her MBA, Bonanno definitely has a future in golf in mind, even it’s not as a professional athlete. “Coaching golf has definitely crossed my mind. It’s just another way for me to be involved in the game,” she said. “Seeing the opportunity I got, I would love to give another girl the opportunity to say the same thing, and I would probably try to stay at the collegiate level because you get to recruit students from all over the world and get the best out there.” In the end, Bonanno credits ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for making her a better person. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock has definitely made me the person I am at this moment in time,” she said. “I was 10 hours from home, so I had to become an independent person. It made me more outgoing. I started traveling to other states and doing things that I wouldn’t if I lived at home. I realized what other opportunities were out there that were provided by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. I formed a network of opportunities and everything that goes along with that.”

Trojans complete another successful academic semester

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 15:59:26 +0000

As another academic season comes to a close, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock once again showed its commitment to excellence not only in competition but in the classroom, finishing the spring 2018 semester with a department-wide cumulative grade point average of 3.28. That mark comes on the heels of the Trojans boasting a department-record 3.3 GPA following the fall 2017 semester as Little Rock student-athletes have now posted a department-wide GPA of 3.0 or better for the 12th-straight semester. “The academic success of our student-athletes continue to impress,” said Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. “Our focus each and every day is to Graduate Champions, and I could not be more proud of the hard work of our student-athletes again this semester. I express my appreciation to our coaches, as well as Senior Woman Administrator Molly Castner, as they deserve a great deal of credit for continuing to provide support and mentorship, giving our student-athletes the tools they need to succeed.” Ten of Little Rock’s 12 intercollegiate athletic programs finished the spring 2018 semester with a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or better. Additionally, 118 Trojan student-athletes recorded a semester GPA of 3.0 or better, including 36 that boasted a perfect 4.0 grade point average for the semester. Once again, women’s golf led the way with a 3.7 cumulative GPA, followed by women’s cross country with a 3.67 GPA. Soccer registered a 3.66 team GPA with 22 players finishing the semester with a 3.0 or higher, led by a department-best 13 student-athletes with a 4.0 GPA. Men’s golf finished the spring semester with a team GPA of 3.49, followed by swimming and diving team’s 3.48 mark, including 25 student-athletes with a 3.0 or better and 11 with a perfect 4.0. Volleyball added eight student-athletes over a 3.0 GPA and three more perfect 4.0 for the semester, finishing with a team GPA of 3.35. Baseball boasts a 3.27 cumulative team GPA, including 23 players with a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher during their competition season, capturing the Sun Belt’s Team Academic Champion for 2018. Women’s track and field (3.16), men’s cross country (3.09) and women’s basketball (3.0) completed the list of programs finishing the 2017-18 academic year with team cumulative GPAs of 3.0 or better. One of the department’s main goals is to Graduate Champions, something Little Rock Athletics continues to put at the forefront. The Trojans boast a Graduation Success Rate of 81 percent, leading all Division I programs in the state of Arkansas for five-straight seasons. Student-athletes who earned a 4.0 GPA during the spring 2018 semester include: Baseball: Cody Daylor Men’s Basketball: Ryan Pippins Men’s Golf: Marcel Rauch Women’s Golf: Pernille Orlien and Thea Wakeford-Wesmann Soccer: Doro Greulich, Nora Hellmers, Kelly Hogan, Maia Martinez, Claire Palmer, Samantha Rolka, Lisa Ryan, Liesa Seifert, Logan Strange, Megan Swanson, Sairra Tucker, Josie Verslues, and Quinn Wilkes Swimming and Diving: Jessie Baldwin, Emma Doll, Anela Everett, Isabelle Finzen, Tori Fryar, Samantha Gray, Ann Kharlamova, Avery McLean, Palmer Ristroph, Laura Ruiz Astorga, and Charis Won Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country: Max Holzmueller Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country: Hannah Manning, Christina Nickerson, and Hunter Paul Volleyball: Marina Avram, Taylor Lindberg, and Veronica Marin

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student-athletes achieve record high GPA scores

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 14:23:23 +0000

Continuing to add to its legacy in the classroom as well as in competition, University of Arkansas at Little Rock Athletics finished the fall 2017 semester with a cumulative 3.3 grade point average among its nearly 200 student-athletes, a new high for the athletic department. It marks the second-straight semester the Trojans have set a record for combined GPA among its 12 athletic programs, besting the 3.27 cumulative GPA set following the spring 2017 semester. “I could not be more proud of the GRIT and hard work our student-athletes continue to demonstrate in the classroom,” said Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. “We have enjoyed academic success at Little Rock for many years, but setting GPA records in back-to-back semesters speaks volumes about our even stronger commitment to the classroom. Our young people, our coaches, and Senior Woman Administrator should be commended for their dedication as we continue to graduate champions.” Seven of the Trojans’ 12 athletic programs finished the fall 2017 semester with a 3.0 GPA or higher as 135 Little Rock student-athletes posted a 3.0 or better. With the performance in the fall, Little Rock’s student-athletes have posted a department-wide GPA above 3.0 for the 11th-straight semester. Women’s golf once again led the way, posting a 3.76 GPA during the fall and holds a 3.7 cumulative grade point average. Soccer’s 3.7 GPA ranked second as both programs achieved impressive results during their competition season, seeing a combined 29 student-athletes eclipse the 3.0 mark. Men’s golf also had a strong showing during their competition season with a 3.44 GPA during the fall, aided by six players above a 3.0, followed by swimming and diving’s 3.37 and baseball’s 3.35 grade point averages. The two teams had the most total number of student-athletes above a 3.0 GPA, led by 30 from swimming and diving and 28 from baseball. Women’s basketball finished the fall semester with a team GPA of 3.14 with volleyball adding a 3.11 GPA as nine players from each squad ending the fall semester with a 3.0 GPA or better. With the fall semester in the books, nine Trojan programs have a team cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, led by women’s golf’s 3.7. Soccer ranks second at 3.6 followed by swimming and diving (3.47) and volleyball (3.41). Baseball (3.39), men’s golf (3.38), women’s basketball (3.09) and women’s track and field and cross country (3.03) round out the list. Academic performance continues to be a major priority for the Little Rock Athletic department as the Trojans also boast a Graduation Success Rate of 81 percent, leading all Division I programs in the state of Arkansas for the fifth-straight season.

New scholarship for golf student-athletes named in honor of Dan and Patty Snider

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 14:06:30 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has established an endowed scholarship to support the Little Rock Trojans men’s and women’s golf programs. An anonymous $25,000 gift was announced during the Little Rock Golf Shamble, an event honoring Dan Snider for his contributions to the Little Rock golf community, to start the Patty and Dan Snider Endowed Scholarship Fund. “We were thrilled to receive such a generous gift to honor Dan and Patty,” Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “This level of commitment to our golf program means a great deal to our coaches and student-athletes, and for that we are most grateful. The fact we are able to commemorate in perpetuity Dan’s support of our program makes this very special, and we look forward to seeing our golf programs grow because of this level of support.” The scholarship will go towards the Trojan golf program, benefitting both the men’s and women’s teams. “Patty and I both feel honored and blessed that we have friends that would want to start an endowed scholarship in our name,” Snider said. “When I first spoke with Chasse (Conque) about starting the Little Rock Golf Shamble, it was in hopes of enhancing the golf program for student-athletes that represent not only the university, but the community.” The scholarship donation capped the Aug. 28 Little Rock Golf Shamble at Pleasant Valley Country Club, an event that raised more than $72,000 for the Trojan golf programs. Over 140 players participated in this year’s event, many of whom traveled back to Little Rock to show their support of Patty and Dan Snider. “The fact the women’s program last year finished in the Top 10 in the nation with its GPA speaks to the program that we have at Little Rock representing us across the country. Patty and I are so proud to be associated with the program and appreciate the support everyone showed us,” Snider said. For more information or to donate to the scholarship, contact Hannah Troillet at 501.569.3393 or hctroillet@ualr.edu. In the upper right photo, an anonymous donor gifted ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with $25,000 to start and endowed scholarship for golf students in honor of Dan and Patty Snider. Pictured, from left to right, are Director of Athletics Chasse Conque, Women’s Golf Coach Bridgett Norwood, Dan Snider, Patty Snider, Chancellor Andrew Rogerson, and Men’s Golf Coach Jake Harrington.

Women’s golf team boasts nation’s 10th best GPA

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 19:35:00 +0000

Coming off an impressive year both on and off the course, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s women’s golf team has added another impressive accolade to their repertoire. The Trojans have been recognized by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association as having the 10th-highest collective average team grade point average (GPA) for the 2016-17 season. Little Rock finished the 2016-17 season with a combined team GPA of 3.71, ranking first among all Trojan athletic programs. The team posted an outstanding combined 3.9 GPA for the fall 2016 semester and followed up that performance with a 3.69 GPA in the spring. For their efforts both on the course and in the classroom, five Trojans were named WGCA All-American Scholars in 2016-17. made the list for the third time in her Little Rock career with ��Ի�� each earning honors for the second time. ��Ի�� both made the cut as well, needing a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to qualify. The recognition came in a year in which Little Rock remained competitive in competition as well, finishing the year with a 307.39 per round average. The Trojans finished among the Top 10 in nine of their 11 events of the year, highlighted by a runner-up showing at the Little Rock/ASU Invitational in March. In addition to the national recognition, the team added another honor a little closer to home. Women’s golf was announced as the winner of the 2016-17 Trojan Cup at Little Rock’s welcome back program for student-athletes on Aug. 15. The program, in its second year of existence, is a competition among all Little Rock athletic programs based on four areas: academic success, athletic accomplishments, community service, and Trojan spirit.

Bonanno qualifies for U.S. Amateur Championship

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 20:59:46 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock golfer has qualified for the 116^th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pennsylvania. The match play event will be held Aug. 1-7. Bonanno, who was the medalist at the Illinois Women’s Amateur Championship in June, shot a 1-under 70 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Qualifier at Sportsman’s Country Club in Norridge, Illinois, to earn one of seven available spots. “I look forward to being around the best amateurs and doing the best that I can,” Bonanno said. Bonanno is a two-time All-Sun Belt selection and was the 2015 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. She has ranked in top 10 of the conference in score vs. par in each of her two seasons with the Trojans. The U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship will be televised on Fox Sports 1 and streamed live on In the upper right photo, Sabrina Bonanno plays golf. Photo by Nelson Chenault/Little Rock Athletics.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock announces 2019-20 women’s golf schedule