ClassiGOLDEN GOPHER GOLFERS OPEN SPRING SEASON - The University of Minnesota women's golf team opens its spring season with the 1999 Midwest Classic in Dallas, Texas, Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 27-28. The Classic, hosted by Northwestern, will be played on the 5,838-yard, par- 72 Hyatt Bear Creek golf course. Joining Minnesota and host Northwestern in the field from the Big Ten Conference are Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin. Other schools expected to compete are Illinois State, Kent, Northern Illinois, Notre Dame, Ohio and Southern Illinois.

THE GOPHER LINEUP - Six Golden Gophers will compete in the Midwest Classic this weekend: Melanie Lepp, Kristi Weichert, Michelle Ballou, Jenny Bruun, Donna Boom and Katie Bakken.

Lepp was the Gophers' top golfer in the four fall tournaments. She averaged 78.1 per round, with a fourth-place showing at the Minnesota Invitational as her highest finish.

Bruun and Weichert also competed in all four tall tournament for the Gophers. Bruun averaged 79.6 strokes per round and placed third at the Minnesota Invitational. Weichert averaged 81.1 strokes per round.

Ballou, Boom and Bakken played in three tournament each last fall. Bakken's stroke average per round stands at 80.0, while Ballou averaged 80.4 and Boom 82.0.

A LOOK AHEAD - The Golden Gophers travel to Winter Park, Fla., to compete in the Peggy Kirk Invitational on March 8-9.