BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Emma Talley Smith – LPGA Tour member, 2015 NCAA Champion, 2013 USGA U.S. Women's Amateur Champion and three-time KHSAA State High School Champion – will join the WKU Women's Golf staff, head coach Adam Gary announced on Tuesday.
"I'm extremely excited to announce the addition of Emma to our staff," Gary said. "I've always said I wouldn't bring someone on unless they were a perfect fit, and I can't think of a better person than her. The wealth of experience from the LPGA Tour and knowledge in golf she brings will be unmatched. The team is so excited and will benefit greatly from her presence. This is truly a huge day in the program's history."Smith, a Princeton, Kentucky native, made a name for herself as an amateur for Caldwell County High School. It was during her time at Caldwell where she won three KHSAA High School Championships.Smith's accolades led her to being named the number one recruit in the nation by Golfweek in 2012.
She went on to play for the University of Alabama where she further cemented herself as one of the top golfers in the nation. Just before her freshman campaign, she won the 2013 USGA Women's Amateur Championship at Country Club of Charleston..
During her freshman season, Smith became a mainstay for the Crimson Tide. She was named SEC Freshman of the Year, along with being named to the All-SEC second team and the SEC Freshman team. She earned her first collegiate victory during the 2013 PING/ASU Invitational.
Smith's collegiate career reached its peak in 2015 as she won the NCAA Individual Championship at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. with a 3-under 285.
She went on to have a storied career for the Tide earning four WGCSA All-America nods throughout her career, including first-team selections during her junior and senior seasons. Smith was also named to the All-SEC team all four years during her career with the Tide.
Following her illustrious amateur career, Smith joined the Symetra Tour in 2016 where she competed in 14 events and finished in the Top 10 in three of them.
Smith earned her LPGA Tour status in 2018 and remains on Tour today.
"I am very thankful for this opportunity from Adam and WKU.", Smith said. "Western Kentucky is home to me and to be able to help these girls reach their potential and show them they can reach their dreams both on and off the golf course is so so special. College golf is one of my favorite memories in my career so far and I hope to just be one more piece of the puzzle for these amazing girls! I hope to be an asset to this program! I'm super thankful for this opportunity! Go Tops!"
How to follow Hilltopper Golf: For complete information on WKU Golf, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKUWomensGolf on X and Instagram.
-@WKUSports-
