Mercer Women’s Golf Team Travels to JU Classic

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Mercer women's golf team began practice for the spring season on January 11 and tees off competition Sunday at the Jacksonville University Classic.

Mercer returns eight player, but features no seniors. All of the Bears are vying for positions on the five-person traveling squad.

After four weeks of intense competition, one junior, three sophomores and one freshman distinguished themselves from the rest. After six rounds of qualifying, junior Alicia Poole, sophomores Kaitlin Marrin, Kimmy Graff and Aurelie Wiriath, freshman and Lacey Fears will represent Merce at the JU Classic. The event is scheduled for February 6 - 8 in Jacksonville, Fla. and is hosted by Jacksonville University. The top-ranked field will compete at Hidden Hills Country Club.

“Aurelie finished first in qualifying and has posted some low numbers,” head coach Gary Guyer said. “She is averaging 3-4 birdies a round and really believes in herself and has matured from controlling her swing to trusting her swing. She is playing that type of golf that I knew she could play.”

“Lacey is just rock solid. She has the game to go low and is very methodical about it,” continued Guyer.  “Kaitlin works very hard and she has a lot to learn. The amazing thing is that she is persistent and makes it into the traveling five most of the time. The only way you get better in golf is to compete and Kaitlin is always in the hunt.”

“Kimmy has the talent to compete at the professional level when she plays smart and keeps a good attitude. Sometimes she is too tough on herself and it hurts her,” replied Coach Guyer. “Alicia has the swing of an LPGA professional. People that watch her are amazed. Her confidence level is finally to the point where she is going to show it in her scores.”

“This is going to be the most exciting spring season I have been involved with since I started coaching at Mercer”, Coach Guyer said. “Even though we have a young team it is a mature team. These girls have been competing since they got here and our freshman has a tournament victory. Our goal is to make it to the NCAA’s and this contest will give us an idea of where we stand.”