Lady Bucs Continue to Sail After National Championship
The Shelton State women's golf team has picked up right where it left off after capturing the 2025 NJCAA Division II National Championship: winning tournaments. The Lady Buccaneers won their first tournament of the year at Kirkwood National in Holly Springs, MS on September 16th. Freshman Emma Bark led the way, claiming low medalist honors with a 2-day total of 160 (79-81). Sophomores Katie Hallmark and Sawyer Hobbs finished second and third respectively, firing 161 and 162, thus landing them on the All-Tournament Team. Sawyer had the low round of day 2 with a 74. Katie Brannon and Riley Fritz, both freshmen, finished in the top 10, and fellow freshmen Addison Davis and Kelsey Mason finished in 18th and 21st place.
Earlier this week, the girls made it two for two with a win at the South District Preview held at Cider Ridge Golf Course in Oxford, AL. The team posted scores of +33 and +29, led by Emma Bark, Katie Brannon, and Katie Hallmark. All three made the All-Tournament Team with identical scores of 158. Sawyer Hobbs finished 8th, Riley Fritz 12th, Addison Davis 21st, and Kelsey Mason 43rd.
"The girls have gotten a little better each round of the first two tournaments. We have gone from +37 in the first round of the year to 29 over par in round 2 of the district preview. I'm very happy with the progress and improvement, but we have many things we can clean up and get those scores a little bit lower and be more consistent. It seems to be mainly putting at the moment, and just some loss of focus from time to time. Long way to go, but I like the direction of the team." Head Coach Chris Sanford
The Shelton State Lady Buccaneer Golf Team picked up victory number three of the fall season by winning the Snead State Fall Invitational at Cherokee Ridge Golf Club in Union Grove, AL. The Lady Bucs shot a 38 over par 326 in round 1 to lead by 7 shots over Jeff State. Shelton was led by freshman Emma Bark, who was tied for the lead, with a 76, followed by freshman Katie Brannon with a 79. Day two saw a little tougher conditions but the Buccaneers pulled away from the pack to claim the tournament. Emma Bark once again led the team with a 77 to finish as runner-up, with sophomore Katie Hallmark shooting 81. The team finished the final round with a total score of +37 for a 20-shot lead over second place Murray State.
With the three tournament wins, the Lady Bucs opened as #1 in the nation in the first rankings of the fall, as they look to defend their 2025 NJCAA Division II National Title.
"The girls have gotten off to a good start. Each tournament has gotten tougher, and they have managed to win each one. We didn't score as well this week, but the course and some of the wind made it difficult at times. It was a big and talented field making for some really good competition. The girls have to eliminate some of the high scores on holes, putt a little better, and get more consistent if they want to stay at the top."
Their next event is October 27-28 at Musgrove Country Club in Jasper, AL.