GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University women's golf team will open its 2023-24 campaign this week as they compete at the King University Invitational in Bristol.
Head coach Hunter Chandley returns four letter-winners from last year's club which finished sixth at the South Atlantic Conference Championship for TU's best finish at the league tournament in six seasons.
Chandley's top returner from last year is sophomore Reagan Padilla who finished her rookie season with a 78.32 scoring average which is the fourth-lowest by a TU freshman and the 18th best overall. She appeared in all 10 tournaments while posting four top-20 finishes including three times in the top-10. She finished seventh at last year's King Invitational in her collegiate debut. She later carded a third place finish at the CBU Buccaneer Classic and placed sixth at the Agnes McAmis Memorial.
Senior Emilie Bergh-Jacobsen was third on the team last season with her 83.40 scoring average. She tied for 18th at the McAmis Memorial and 19th at the Buccaneer Classic. She also placed 37th at last year's King event.
Senior Adrienne O'Brien logged an 85.60 stroke average and posted a pair of top-30 outings including a season-best ninth-place performance at the McAmis Memorial. She finished 30th at the Buccaneer Classic and 31st at the King Invitational.
Sophomore Lindsay Self rounds out the returners for the Pioneers. She played in all 10 events last season and posted an 89.24 stroke average with her best tournament coming at the McAmis Memorial where she finished 30th.
Two newcomers join the Tusculum program in freshmen Anna Ahonen and Lindy Carter. Ahonen, a product of Jyvaeskylae, Finland, played her club golf with Jyvaes Golf. Carter, who played locally at Greeneville High School, was a TSSAA regional individual qualifier with the Lady Devils.
Following the King Invitational, the Pioneers will travel to next week's (Oct. 2-3) Patsy Rendleman Invitational in Salisbury, North Carolina.
