The Chattanooga Mocs women’s golf team just finished a strong fall campaign with a win, two runner-ups and one third-place finish. It got a little better with two strong junior performers signing national letters of intent to join the 2016-17 roster.
Maria Pineiro and Maddy McDanel make their way to the Scenic City from Spain and Pennsylvania, respectively.
“Maddy is a wonderful addition," coach Colette Murray started. "She brings enthusiasm, positive energy, as well as a very solid golf game.
I love that Maddy is as excited about being a Moc as we are about having her here.
"Maria is perhaps the highest-ranked player we have ever signed at No. 8 in the National Spanish Rankings. She bring a wealth of international experience and has a great desire to win and grow as a player.
"Both will have a big impact on our team in many positive ways. We are very excited about this class and where the program is heading as a whole."
McDanel won three PIAA state titles with two Class AA (2012, 2013) and one Class AAA (2014) at Central Valley High School in Aliquippa, Pa. She led the Warriors in 2013 and 2014 and tied for 4th individually at the 2015 AAA PIAA Championship.
She boasts a win at the 2013 Western PA Major at Nemacolin. McDanel was runner-up at the 2015 Pittsburgh Junior Challenge on Hurricane Junior Golf Tour and at 2014 Golfweek Junior Tour event at Avalon Lakes Golf & Country Club in Warren, Ohio. She also tied for 7th at AJGA Junior at Old Silo.
Maria Pineiro is a native of Barcelona, Spain. She is the No. 8 ranked amateur in her home country. This comes on the heels of an impressive 2015.
Pineiro was runner-up by two shots at the 2015 Campeonato de Barcelona and was third at the 2015 Campeonato de Catalunya Absoluto. She tied for 6th at the 2015 Spanish International Stroke Play Championship, while tying for 10th in the 2015 Campeonato de Madrid where she beat one pro in the field.
The Mocs return to the tee Feb. 22-23 at the USA Women’s Invitational in Mobile, Ala.