Jack Sturdivant
After recording a fifth straight winning season, head coach Randy Keck and the Troy women’s golf team look to make it six in a row.
Led by senior Alyssa Mercado and junior Laura Fangmeyer, the Troja’s look to start off the 2024 season with a bang as they head to Clemson, South Carolina, to compete in the first-ever Tiger Classic.
“I think leadership plays a big role in it,” Keck said. “We’ve got some really good leaders on our team, and we’ve got some older players that really step up and take charge of our team.”
The core of the team is returning, with the addition of three golfers. Mercado said she’s excited about the team and the season.
“We have a strong group and we really care about and support each other,” said Mercado. “We’re going to start off hot in Clemson and get going getting ready for the season.”
Keck emphasized how the Trojans have spent the summer preparing for the season ahead.
“We’ve had tons of tournaments, tons of camps and tons of instruction,” Keck said. “It’s been a busy summer, and it doesn’t even feel like we’ve had a summer.”
Coming off of a tournament win at the GSU Invitational last year, Keck. said the team is well-prepared for the season.
“The girls are ready to go, they’ve played well all summer long and I feel like they’ve come back in a little better golf shape than we’ve been in the last two years,” Keck said. “I’m excited about the energy and I’m excited about the schedule.”
Fangmeyer, Mercado and Katelynn Altese lead the Trojans both in leadership and on the field. The trio holds three out of the top nine stroke averages in program history.
“Practice has been great,” Fangmeyer said. “Everyone’s glad to be back here, and everyone’s excited for the season to start.
”We’ve got three new girls on the team so that’s exciting too and we’re really ready to get going.”
With graduation on the horizon, Mercado looks to finish strong.
“This is my last year, so it’s bittersweet,” Mercado said. “I feel a little sad this is my final year because I love the team and school so much but I’m really looking forward to finishing strong.”
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