TROY, Ala. – The Troy women’s golf team gets an early start to its fall campaign on Monday with a quick trip to the Tiger Classic, hosted by Clemson at The Walker Course. The one-day, 36-hole event features 15 teams, including a pair of Sun Belt foes.
 
“I’m really excited to get the season started,” head coach Randy Keck said. “Our girls have played some really good golf through qualifying, and to play at a place like Clemson to get the season started adds some extra excitement to the fold.”
 
Keck’s lineup for the 2024 opener is loaded with experience, as all five players in the lineup are returning from last season. 
 
Laura Fangmeyer played in all 11 of Troy’s tournaments last season and finished second with a 3.55 score vs. par and with three rounds under par. A junior, Fangmeyer’s 74.82 career stroke average ranks as the fourth lowest in program history.
 
Katelynn Altese, who ranks ninth in Troy history with a 76.47 career stroke average, cracked the lineup in 10 events last season, and she found the red twice en route to a 76.97 average for the year.
 
“We are bringing a lot of experience in our lineup to open the season and players who have played well the last couple of years,” Keck said. “When you feel like you’re leaving one of your best players at home, it’s a tough situation, but it gives others a chance to step up and prove they deserve to be in the lineup. Qualifying was a dog fight for the last few spots.”
 
Manya Saini (77.95), Jillian Friyia (79.36) and Brinson Hall (80.50) round out Keck’s lineup for Clemson after the trio combined to play 41 rounds over 15 events last season.
 
The Trojans will be without their top returner from last season, Alyssa Mercado, who is currently at Qualifying School for the LPGA Tour. Mercado led Troy with a 2.84 score vs. par last year and six rounds in the red.
 
Teams will play in foursomes beginning at 7:30 a.m. (CT) in a shotgun start. Fangmeyer will lead the Trojans on the course from No. 12 as the Trojans play alongside North Alabama, USC Upstate and Western Carolina.
 
“We’re going to have to play smart golf,” Keck said of the 36-hole setup. “Knowing you don’t have another day to make up some shots, we’re going to be aggressive when we can, but on the hard holes, know that par is okay. The course is in amazing condition, and the greens are very similar to what we practice on. The biggest thing for us will be to take advantage of the Par 5s; they are going to make or break the tournament.”
 
The Field
Clemson, UNC Asheville, Jacksonville, UNC Greensboro, App State, Mercer, Jacksonville State, Campbell, Presbyterian, North Alabama, Georgia Southern, Western Carolina, Troy, USC Upstate, Gardner Webb, UNC Charlotte