Sept. 10, 2012

TANAGURA, Japan - The California women's golf team begins play in thir first tournament of their 2012-2013 schedule when they tee off tomorrow at the first round of the Topy Cup in Tanagura, Japan. The tournament will take place at the Tanagura Country Club.

The Topy Cup is a three-day, 54 hole stroke play tournament with the team's four lowest scores counting at the end of each 18-hole round. California and Oregon are the only two women's teams competeting, but they are joined by the men's squads of Baylor, Oregon State, Pacific, and San Diego universities, as well as four collegiate teams from Japan. The Tanagura Country Club is a 7,050-yard, par-72 course. The Golden Bears last competed in the Topy Cup in 2003, when they won the tournament by 20 strokes.

Tuesday's opening round tee times are to be determined, with each team beginning on the first tee. Wednesday's second round and Thursday's final round will also begin on the first hole.

After finishing ninth at the NCAA West Regional last year and having their season end a bit before they expected, the Golden Bears are eager to begin the season on the right foot. This year, Cal will be led by seniors Joi Pentin and Jacqueline Williams. They will be joined by junior Nicola Rossler and sophomores Jo Ee Kok and Morgan Thompson. New to the Bears this year are freshmen Carly Childs, Pauline Loulier, Roberta Roller, and Hannah Suh.