ATLANTA – First time visits to the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational and Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship highlight the Georgia State women’s golf 2010-11 schedule announced Tuesday by head coach Cathy Mant.

The Panthers will open the season with three straight appearances in high-profile tournaments. The first of the trio is a visit to the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational hosted by the University of New Mexico from September 17-18. The event will be held at the UNM Championship Golf Course in Albuquerque, N.M.

The Panthers then travel to Indiana to appear in the Notre Dame Invitational from October 2-3 before returning to the Southeast for the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship in Knoxville, Tenn. These three tournaments mark one of the most competitive starts for the Georgia State women’s golf team.

“I think that this is the strongest tournament schedule we have had in the history of Georgia State women’s golf,” said Mant. “I am really excited to have the opportunity to experience new tournaments where will meet new competition.”

Georgia State will add yet another first-time appearance to their schedule when they travel to Greenville, S.C. to participate in the Paladin Invitational and wrap up their fall season.

In the spring, Georgia State opens with the UCF Challenge in Sorrento, Fla. from February 13-15. The Panthers have finished in the top spot at the previously known UCF Invitational twice before in back-to-back years, 2004 and 2005. The team fell two shots short of first place last year, but look to retake the crown in 2011 to become three-time champions.

The Panthers next stop is in Valdosta, Ga. for the Kinderlou Forest Challenge, before venturing to Gainesville, Fla. for the SunTrust Gator Women’s Invitational, March 6-7.

Returning from Gainesville, Georgia State will host the 18th Annual John Kirk/Panther Intercollegiate. The Panthers have won the event for three straight years and taken back to back top spots in individual competition.

Georgia State will wrap up the regular season in Athens, Ga. at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic. The Panthers will then have three weeks of preparation before attempting a three-peat at the CAA Championship in Pinehurst, N.C. The team will play Pinehurst No.1 at the famed resort.

"I have great expectations for the upcoming season," stated Mant. "Our strong schedule gives us the opportunity to compete with the top teams in the nation both in fall and spring. There is a good balance of tournaments and our team is looking forward to competing at such a high level."