Aug. 7, 2008

DALLAS (SMU) - While the start of the fall season is just around the corner, several SMU golfers are wrapping up successful summer seasons on the links.

Leading the way has been senior Kate Ackerson, who qualified for the U.S. Women's Amateur and advanced to match play in the women's U.S. Publinks. Ackerson, who is playing through a wrist injury, also competed in the U.S Women's Open qualifier, shooting 79 to miss the cut by two strokes.

Sophomore Tia Gannon just missed the cut at a U.S. Women's Amateur qualifier and dropped a three-hole playoff for the last spot in the U.S Women's Open. She was tabbed an alternate for the Open.

Sophomore Paige Martin and incoming freshman Elizabeth Wells each qualified for the match play portion of the Trans National Amateur Championship at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas. Martin advanced to the round of 32, while Wells came up just short in her first-round match. Martin continued her busy summer at Oklahoma Women's Golf Association where she advanced to the match-play quarterfinals, and the Women's Southern, where she reached the second round of match play. Wells, meanwhile, took 29th at the Bubba Conlee National Golf Tournament and barely missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Amateur, as she lost in a six-hole playoff.

Incoming freshman Jennifer Hooper placed fifth at the Florida Girls Championship and incoming freshman Kalie Presti finished tied for 22nd at the Texas Girls Championship.

"They certainly kept me busy watching or keeping track of them on the computer," said head coach Todd Selders. "I appreciate all the hard work they have put in and that should help us be a stronger team in the fall."

In other women's golf news, Selders announced his annual team awards, with Lacey Jones winning the Kyle O'Brien MVP, the Earl Stewart Jr. Memorial Low Scoring Average and the Pony Cup. Laura Cross was given the Col. B. Harding Mustang Spirit Award, while Kate Ackerson was honored with the Mustang GPA/Scoring Average.

"I can not praise this year's seniors enough," said Selders. "They were part of the inaugural recruiting class that came in here and, through a tremendous amount of work and dedication, helped lay the groundwork for the future of the program. I wish them all the best as they go forward with their careers."