Texas Tech University Athletics
Golfweek Tabs Lady Raiders 19th in Preseason Poll
September 05, 2017 | Women's Golf
Texas Tech was ranked 19th Tuesday afternoon in a preseason poll compiled by Golfweek Magazine
LUBBOCK, Texas – Golfweek Magazine writer Lance Ringler projected the Texas Tech women's golf team as one of the nation's elite Tuesday as the Lady Raiders are ranked 19th in the publication's preseason poll.
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The Lady Raiders, who are entering their ninth season under Robertson, return the bulk of their lineup from a year ago where Tech advanced to the NCAA Championships for the third time in program history and the second time over the past three seasons.
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"I'm really excited about this group that we have this year," said Robertson, who has led Tech to the NCAA Regional round in seven of her eight seasons. "They have impressed me already with some great qualifying scores. They are working hard and will be fun to watch."
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Tech is the second-highest ranked Big 12 school in Ringler's preseason poll. No. 11 Texas, No. 20 Oklahoma and No. 24 Oklahoma State round out the four conference schools listed among the top 25 programs in the country.
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Robertson and assistant coach Matt Whall return four of the five players who competed in the NCAA Championships last May, including seniors Gabby Barker and Lauren Mason who both boast a wealth of experience with three NCAA Regional and two NCAA Championship appearances among their accomplishments.
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Barker, who recently made it past the first stage of LPGA qualifying, heads into her senior season with an eye on the Tech career record for scoring average. The Caldwell, Idaho native has averaged 73.4 strokes per round over her career, which is on pace to snap current LPGA standout Kim Kaufman's record of 74.0 that was set during the 2009-13 seasons.
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Mami Yamamoto and Emma Ballard, both juniors, join Barker and Mason as upperclassmen on the Tech roster. Four of Tech's six players on its roster this year are classified as at least a junior with all four having already played in multiple events during their Tech careers.
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Sofia Garcia, meanwhile, will look to continue her dominance on the links after putting together one of the best freshmen campaigns in the country a year ago. Garcia averaged a team-best 73.6 strokes per round last season, the sixth-lowest mark in program history and the lowest ever for a Tech freshman.
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The group of returners welcomed Louisa Brunt to Lubbock a few weeks ago as the England native will be the lone freshman on the roster. Brunt was regarded as one of the top international players in the 2017 signing class after ranking among the top 100 of the European amateur rankings.
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The Lady Raiders begins the 2017-18 season in less than a week as Tech travels this weekend to the Jim West Challenge held in The Woodlands, just outside of Houston. The two-day, 54-hole tournament begins next Monday from The Club at Carlton Woods.
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The Lady Raiders, who are entering their ninth season under Robertson, return the bulk of their lineup from a year ago where Tech advanced to the NCAA Championships for the third time in program history and the second time over the past three seasons.
Â
"I'm really excited about this group that we have this year," said Robertson, who has led Tech to the NCAA Regional round in seven of her eight seasons. "They have impressed me already with some great qualifying scores. They are working hard and will be fun to watch."
Â
Tech is the second-highest ranked Big 12 school in Ringler's preseason poll. No. 11 Texas, No. 20 Oklahoma and No. 24 Oklahoma State round out the four conference schools listed among the top 25 programs in the country.
Â
Robertson and assistant coach Matt Whall return four of the five players who competed in the NCAA Championships last May, including seniors Gabby Barker and Lauren Mason who both boast a wealth of experience with three NCAA Regional and two NCAA Championship appearances among their accomplishments.
Â
Barker, who recently made it past the first stage of LPGA qualifying, heads into her senior season with an eye on the Tech career record for scoring average. The Caldwell, Idaho native has averaged 73.4 strokes per round over her career, which is on pace to snap current LPGA standout Kim Kaufman's record of 74.0 that was set during the 2009-13 seasons.
Â
Mami Yamamoto and Emma Ballard, both juniors, join Barker and Mason as upperclassmen on the Tech roster. Four of Tech's six players on its roster this year are classified as at least a junior with all four having already played in multiple events during their Tech careers.
Â
Sofia Garcia, meanwhile, will look to continue her dominance on the links after putting together one of the best freshmen campaigns in the country a year ago. Garcia averaged a team-best 73.6 strokes per round last season, the sixth-lowest mark in program history and the lowest ever for a Tech freshman.
Â
The group of returners welcomed Louisa Brunt to Lubbock a few weeks ago as the England native will be the lone freshman on the roster. Brunt was regarded as one of the top international players in the 2017 signing class after ranking among the top 100 of the European amateur rankings.
Â
The Lady Raiders begins the 2017-18 season in less than a week as Tech travels this weekend to the Jim West Challenge held in The Woodlands, just outside of Houston. The two-day, 54-hole tournament begins next Monday from The Club at Carlton Woods.
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Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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