For the third consecutive year, the University of Hawai'i women's golf team will open the spring season with the Battle at the Rock in Riverside, Calif., Monday, Feb. 11 and Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Oak Quarry Golf Club.
 
The Rainbow Wahine were runner-up in each of the past two seasons finishing six strokes off the lead in 2017 and eight strokes back last season. Each time, they fell to Big West Conference foes, Cal Poly and UC Davis, respectively.

"We are looking forward to heading back to The Battle at the Rock, a place where we have had success before," said UH head coach Stephen Bidne. "Oak Quarry Golf Club, is a beautiful desert style resort course that can be quite tricky if the wind blows, which I believe plays into our strengths having practiced in wind the last couple weeks. The team is looking really sharp after a month of practice this spring. A few of the girls have some new equipment in the bag, which has a tremendous impact in improving their distance and accuracy."
 
UC Riverside hosts the annual tournament with features a 16-team field for the 2019 event. Also competing are Boise State, California Baptist, Cal Poly, CSU Bakersfield, CSUN, Gonzaga, Grand Canyon, UH, Montana, Montana State, Nevada, Santa Clara, USC, Utah Valley, and Wyoming.
 
UH's contingent includes Kaci Masuda, Megan Ratcliffe, Sahara Washington and newcomers Haruka Shintani and Nicha Vorrasanpisut. In Masuda's two appearances at the Rock, she tied for 12^thand 14^th.  Last season, Washington finished one stroke out of a playoff for medalist honors at 4-under and third place.  
 
In 2017, UH held the lead heading into the final round but was forced to play with only four golfers due illness. 

"We have good memories from last year having a chance to win coming down the back nine in the final round, and I hope we can build off those memories and have a great week," Bidne said.
 
The Rock is one of five tournaments during the spring season for the Rainbow Wahine, who will host the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational at the Kāne'ohe Klipper Golf Course on O'ahu and the Ānuenue Spring Break Classic in Kapalua, Maui.
 
Tournament #6
What: Battle at the Rock
When: Feb. 11-12, 2019
Where: Oak Quarry Golf Club; Riverside, Calif.
Yardage (Par): 6,046 (72)
Format: 54 holes (38-18); 5-score-4
LiveScoring: www.golfstat.com
Host: UC Riverside
Field (16 teams): Boise State, California Baptist, Cal Poly, CSU Bakersfield, CSUN, Gonzaga, Grand Canyon, Hawai'i, Montana, Montana State, Nevada, Santa Clara, UC Riverside, USC, Utah Valley, Wyoming