DADE CITY, Fla. — Tuesday proved to be a dominating day with two victories for WKU Lady Topper Golf at their own Spring Break Shootout.
The Lady Toppers won the team crown by a convincing 24 strokes with an 880 (289-301-290) tally, while sophomore Mary Joiner claimed individual medalist honors with a 4-under 212 (79-73-70) – eight strokes ahead of second-place teammate Georgina Blackman.
Jacksonville finished second as a team at 904. WKU co-hosted the event with Florida Gulf Coast.
This is WKU's fifth team championship in coach Adam Gary's four seasons at the helm. Gary's five titles are the second-most for a Lady Topper coach, and he's the second coach in program history to win a tournament in each of his/her first four seasons with the reins.
"I'm so proud of the team this week," Gary said. "They were focused and prepared while I was busy running the tournament. To win by 24 over a good field is a real confidence boost. Mary Joiner's eight-shot victory was very impressive. I'm glad to see her hard work paying off."
The Lady Toppers took full control with three individuals in the top five and all five in the top 20, led by Joiner's third victory in just her second college season. The Franklin, Ky., native won two tournaments as a freshman.
Joiner turned in nine pars on the front nine Tuesday at the par-72, 6,239-yard Lake Jovita Golf Club before registering three birdies and a bogey on the back nine. She played par-4s and par-5s better than anyone across the tournament and notched a tournament-high 12 birdies.
Joiner tied her career low for 54 holes of 212 – tied for the second-best score in program history – that she set just last week at North Florida's UNF Collegiate. She finished third in that tournament and was named Conference USA Women's Co-Golfer of the Week as a result.
Tuesday's win is the fifth top-three performance of her career.
"It's been a great tournament," Joiner said. "I'm so excited for the team, and it feels great to get it done as an individual as well. I'm looking forward to the next tournament and seeing what else we can do."
The senior Blackman shot a 4-over 220 (71-76-73) to finish second behind Joiner. That ties the highest finish of her career.
Senior Katie Story also tied her best finish in fifth place at 224 (73-77-74), and sophomore Bailey Tyree tied for 16th at 229 (78-75-76). Freshman Megan Clarke set a new best career finish by tying for 18th at 230 (76-81-73).
The Lady Toppers also had four individuals competing, led by sophomore Abigail Smee's tie for 21st at 231 (79-76-76). Freshman Caroline Cavin finished with a 239 total, followed by redshirt junior Hannah Turner (252) and senior Elizabeth Cason (253).
WKU is back on the course at Georgia State's John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate from March 25-27 in Atlanta.
Spring Break Shootout Final Results
1. Mary Joiner (69-73-70-212)
2. Georgina Blackman (71-76-73-220)
5. Katie Story (73-77-74-224)
T16. Bailey Tyree (78-75-76-229)
T18. Megan Clarke (76-81-73-230)
T21. Abigail Smee (79-76-76-231)
T49. Caroline Cavin (81-76-82-239)
T74. Hannah Turner (85-87-80-252)
T76. Elizabeth Cason (84-87-82-253)
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
