Idle Hour Collegiate Championship Final Results (PDF)
MACON, Ga. — WKU freshman Mary Joiner finished her first fall season with the WKU women's golf team the way she started it – on top.
Joiner, a Franklin, Ky., native, fired a 6-under 66 in Tuesday's final round at Mercer's Idle Hour Collegiate Championship to win the individual crown by three strokes with a 213 (76-71-66) total – a new career low for 54 holes.
Joiner, who entered Tuesday tied for fourth through two rounds, had eight birdies in her final round at the par-72, 6,136-yard Idle Hour Country Club. Her 66 was the lowest individual score by a Lady Topper in several years and bested her previous personal low by three strokes.
"I had a great tournament this week, and it feels awesome to get my second win of the season," Joiner said. "My first round wasn't great, but I was able to make a solid comeback in the second round and have my lowest round ever in the final round. I had a lot of fun, and I can't wait for the spring season."
It was the second victory in five tries to start Joiner's college career. She also won the title at Murray State's Drake Creek Invitational in her first event. She was named Conference USA Golfer of the Week for that performance.
WKU finished fifth as a team in this week's 12-team field with a 902 (305-299-298) total, just five strokes away from the champion, Mercer, at 897.
Junior Georgina Blackman tied for 11th individually with a 225 (74-77-74) total. Blackman finished all five fall tournaments in the top 25.
Freshman Abigail Smee (77-77-80) and junior Katie Story (82-74-78) tied for 39th with 234 totals, while junior Emily Alexander tied for 47th at 236 (78-78-80). Junior Elizabeth Cason was 68th at 256 (91-83-82) competing as an individual.
The Lady Toppers notched three top-five finishes this fall, including a victory in the Drake Creek Invitational and a tie for second at the Pat Bradley Invitational.
They return to action in the spring at the UNF Intercollegiate on March 6-7.
"I'm really pleased with how we closed out the fall," WKU head coach Adam Gary said. "Tying for second at FIU and Mary winning the last tournament gives us momentum going into the offseason. I think the sky is the limit for this team."
WKU Final Results
1. Mary Joiner (76-71-66-213)
T11. Georgina Blackman (74-77-74-225)
T39. Abigail Smee (77-77-80-234)
T39. Katie Story (82-74-78-234)
T47. Emily Alexander (78-78-80-236)
68. Elizabeth Cason (91-83-82-256)
