Chattanooga Mocs senior Emily McLennan is one of 24 student-athletes to receive an at large bid to the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships. McLennan and five others head to the NCAA Shoal Creek Regional May 5-7.
There are a total of 72 teams and 24 individuals with 18 and six per regional site. Joining McLennan at Shoal Creek Golf & Country Club are Yupaporn Kawinpakorn (Kansas), Fatima Cano (Troy), Sathika Ruenreong (Toledo), Laura Fuenfstueck (College of Charleston) and Pornvipa Sakdee (Kansas).
"I'm really excited to be continuing on this season," McLennan shared.
"It is bittersweet that the team didn't make it, but it's great that it is so close because they'll be able to be there. It's what we work for all year."
The top six teams move on to the NCAA Championships May 20-25 at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore. McLennan competes for one of two berths for the top finishers on non-advancing squads.
"It makes it more difficult as an individual to advance, but I'll represent Chattanooga and the school the best I can."
It’s the second time in school history for an individual to make the field matching Emma de Groot in 2008. The team qualified for the field in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The 2009 squad advanced to the finals.
McLennan led the Southern Conference with a 73.03 stroke average earning co-Player of the Year honors with Furman’s Alice Chen. Emily is one of three ladies to accomplish the SoCon Grand Slam with four All-SoCon seasons, Freshman of the Year, Medalist and Player of the Year. She also notched two of her three career wins this season.
Shoal Creek Golf & Country Club is just outside Birmingham, Ala. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it is regarded as one of the top courses in the nation. It played host to the 1984 and 1990 PGA Championships as well as the 1986 U.S. Amateur.