Champions facing off for adoption

The Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge benefiting the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has announced its field for the 2008 event Nov. 11 at Rio Secco Golf Club in Henderson.

The challenge pits three players from the PGA, LPGA and Champions Tour against each other in a team format for bragging rights and share of a $1 million purse.

The PGA Tour will be represented by Ryder Cup participants Stewart Cink and Kenny Perry and U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate.

The LPGA team will consist of former U.S. Open Women’s champion Cristie Kerr, Henderson resident Natalie Gulbis and Helen Alfredsson, who is sixth on the 2008 money list.

The Champions Tour is made up of Charles Schwab Cup point leader Jay Haas, three-time major championship winner Nick Price and fan favorite Fred Funk, a two-time Champions Tour winner in 2008.

The LPGA Tour is the defending champion having won the 2007 event at Reflection Bay Golf Club.

This year marks the 17th anniversary of the challenge, which has raised more than $25 million for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption since its inception.

For more information, visit www.wendys3tour.com.

Lady Rebels finish third at season opening event

UNLV’s women’s golf team, led by junior Natasha Krishna’s strong play, finished third at the season opening Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational held at the Championship Course at the University of New Mexico.

The Rebels shot a team total of 13-over-par 889 to finish 17 shots behind conference rival and host New Mexico. Pepperdine finished second at even-par 876.

Krishna shot rounds of 74-70-70 for a 5-under-par 214 that was good for second place. She finished one shot behind champion Jodi Ewart of New Mexico.

Sophomore Therese Koelbaek, co-medalist at last season’s NCAA West Regional, recorded another strong finish coming in tied for 10th at 2-over-par 221.

Alejandra Guacaneme finished tied for 22nd at 6-over-par and freshman Bethany Glassford and Kristen Schelling finished tied for 45th and 55th, respectively. Glassford is a local product who played golf at Coronado.

The Rebels next event is the Windy City Collegiate Classic in Chicago Oct. 6 to 7.

Jensen's golf column appears weekly in the News. He can he reached at [email protected].