BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — As an England native, WKU freshman golfer Megan Clarke had to adjust to the Bermuda grass and the grain of the greens in her college debut last week at the USA Intercollegiate.
Clarke responded with a top-20 finish in her first outing. That was one of several results that give the Lady Toppers confidence heading into this week's Pirate Collegiate Classic, hosted by East Carolina.
"I think we did really well as a team, especially on the second day when everyone had a good score," Clarke said. "I think we should be really happy with how we did."
WKU will be one of 17 teams competing Monday and Tuesday at the par-72, 6,012-yard Greenville Country Club in Greenville, N.C. The teams will play 36 holes Monday starting with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. CT, followed by the final round Tuesday morning.
The Lady Toppers opened the season with a sixth-place finish at South Alabama's USA Intercollegiate.
Sophomore Mary Joiner paved the way with a second-place individual finish and a career-low 212 tally across three rounds.
"I was playing more consistent than I ever had. I only had one bogey," Joiner said. "Normally I have more birdies, but I mess up a lot, but I really wasn't making mistakes. That gives me confidence going forward. Our whole team played well. It's a young team, but we still held our own."
On top of Clarke's promising start, Katie Story also found the top 25 with a tie for 23rd. The Lady Toppers gained valuable experience for freshman Caroline Cavin – making her college debut – and sophomores Abigail Smee and Bailey Tyree.
Joiner, Clarke, Story and Tyree will be joined in competition this week by WKU senior Georgina Blackman, a three-time all-conference selection and a first-team All-C-USA pick a year ago.
The Lady Toppers finished sixth as a team in East Carolina's event last season, led by Story in a tie for 11th individually.
Western Kentucky University Athletics
- Champions Climb Here
- WKU Athletics
- Athletic Director
- Academic Services
- Annual Report
- Athletic Communications
- Athletic Hall of Fame
- Athletic Training
- Big Red
- CLIMB Program - NIL
- Compliance
- Facilities
- Financial Reports
- For Students
- Student Employment
- Forms/Requests
- Book Big Red
- Donation Requests
- Site Feedback
- For Fans
- Hilltopper Highlights
- Gameday Promotions
- Alumni Tailgates
- Big Red's Rascals
- Basketball Gameday
- Football Gameday
- Mobile Tickets
- Travel Center
- Tickets
- Give
