Joiner, Clarke Guide WKU to T-5th Finish at Inaugural First Coast Classic

Tuesday, February 16

Jacksonville, Fla.

Western Kentucky University

Co-Hosted by WKU/UNF

Photo by: Steve Roberts/WKU Athletics

Joiner, Clarke Guide WKU to T-5th Finish at Inaugural First Coast Classic

2/16/2021 2:59:00 PM | Women's Golf

Full Results

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – WKU Women's Golf tied for fifth at the inaugural First Coast Classic co-hosted by WKU and North Florida. It's the program's fifth top-five finish of the 2020-21 season.

"It was good to get the season started," said head coach Adam Gary. "We were definitely rusty, but we gained a lot to build on this spring. We would not have been able to get any practice in this week at home, so I feel fortunate to learn what we need to work on moving forward."

The team shot a 10-over 298 for both the second and third rounds on Tuesday to move up one spot on the leaderboard. The Lady Toppers finished at 27-over 891 at the par-72, 6,002-yard Deerwood Country Club.

Graduate senior Mary Joiner was the Red and White's top finisher, tying for 11th at 3-over 219. She finished the tournament with a 4-over 76 and 2-over 74 to record her sixth top-20 finish of the season. Senior Megan Clarke was just one stroke behind Joiner at 4-over 220. The captain shot even-par 72 in Tuesday's final round and tied for 14th overall. It is her fifth top-20 placing in her senior campaign.

"I'm proud of Mary and Megan for earning top-15 finishes," said Gary on the duo. "Their experience paid off and helped us to a top-five team finish."

Wrapping up WKU's scoring and tying for 27th on the individual leaderboard was sophomore Sarah Arnold and senior Olivia Reed. The pair finished at 11-over 227 for the 54-hole event. Reed bounced back from a first-round 76 to shoot 1-over 73 in the second round. Arnold steadily improved over the three rounds, shooting 4-over 76 and 2-over 74 on Tuesday.

Freshman Rachel Rich completed the Lady Topper lineup. Her score of 2-over 74 was WKU's second-best score of the second round. She shot 7-over 79 in the final round to tie for 45th.

Redshirt senior Teri Doss competed as an individual and improved by three strokes in every round. She tied for 40th after shooting 3-over 77 and 2-over 74 in the final day. Freshman Addie Westbrook shot a career-low, 2-over 74 in the second round and followed it up with a 7-over 79 for the third.

Next up for WKU is the Battle of the Bluegrass. The second annual match-play event between the Lady Toppers and the Louisville Cardinals is scheduled for Sunday, February 28 at The Club at Olde Stone.

Results – Final
T11. Mary Joiner – 69, 76, 74 – 219
T14. Megan Clarke – 73, 75, 72 – 220
T27. Sarah Arnold – 77, 76, 74 – 227
T27. Olivia Reed – 76, 73, 78 – 227
T40. Teri Doss* – 80, 77, 74 – 231
T45. Rachel Rich – 79, 74, 79 – 232
T56. Addie Westbrook* – 82, 74, 79 – 235
*competing as an individual