-Chattanooga Mocs senior golfer Emily McLennan tees off Thursday at the NCAA Shoal Creek Regional just outside Birmingham. The three-day, 54-hole event concludes Saturday. The top six teams and three individuals on non-advancing squads move on to the NCAA Championships at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore.
This is McLennan’s third trip to regionals, her first as an individual. The team qualified in her first two trips at Auburn in 2013 and Cle Elum, Wash., in 2014.
“Both times I went as a freshman and sophomore, the field is a lot tougher…the courses are a lot tougher,” McLennan shared.
“We’re playing longer courses as well. I’ve learned a lot just in respect to the people I’ll be playing against, and the type of conditions we’ll face.
“The expectations as well. You have to shoot great scores to make it as an individual. It’s a lot tougher to get through as an individual than with a team.”
Those type of scores are nothing new for the Australia native. She set school records with 14 par or better rounds this season with six in the 60s. The previous career record was five. Emily also eclipse the season and career marks for birdies with 110 this year for 328 over four seasons.
Not only is she accustomed to shooting the necessary numbers, but she knows how to finish. That’s evidenced by ranking second all-time at Chattanooga in wins (3), top 5s (12) and top 10s (18).
McLennan is one of six individuals in the field that includes 96 total golfers including the 18 teams in attendance. It is quite a gauntlet to advance.
“It is bittersweet making the field without my team playing as well,” she added. “I’ve never played a college tournament as an individual. I’ve always had my team with me for encouragement and support. Just seeing someone make a birdie gives confidence that you’ll make one as well.”
It all starts with Thursday’s opening round followed by 18 holes Friday and Saturday. Complete notes package, NCAA Championship Central, live scoring and pairings (when available) are linked above.