December 11, 2014

Strudwick adds three to women’s golf program

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn, -- Carson-Newman women’s golf coach Suzanne Strudwick announced the addition of three golfers from the Class of 2015 on Thursday.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn, -- Carson-Newman women's golf coach Suzanne Strudwick announced the addition of three golfers from the Class of 2015 on Thursday.

Summer Smith (Knoxville, Tenn./Halls High School), Hannah Solesbee (Carrollton, Ga./Oak Mountain Academy) and Taylor Hayes (Lake Ozark, Mo./School of the Osage) join the Eagles' squad.

"I really wanted another standout player to compliment what Elizabeth England has been able to do, so building the program, bringing established players that can come in straight away and make impact and a difference," Strudwick said on what she wanted to achieve with the signing class. "If we are to win a national championship in five years with each recruiting class, we need to bring in a player to be that standout."

Taylor Hayes (Lake Ozark, Mo.): Hayes, the daughter of Brenda and Tory Hayes, is a three-time district champion at the School of the Osage in Osage Beach, Mo. As a sophomore, she placed fourth at the Class 1 MSHSAA State Touranment. In 2013, she was named the Missouri Golf Association Player of the Year in the 14-18 Age Division. Academically, Hayes is a 4.0 student and is the Student Council Co-President, a member of the: National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Strudwick on Hayes: "I'm really hoping that Taylor can compliment what Elizabath has done. Her strength is knowing and understanding golf. She's been around golf; her dad is a head pro, her mom is a teacher and her high school golf teacher, so she has been around golf since she was born. And that to me brings in a fundamental knowledge of that game, which is so important."

Hannah Solesbee (Carrollton, Ga.): Solesbee comes to Carson-Newman by way of Oak Mountain Academy in Carrollton, Ga. She is a member of boy's team at Oak Mountain. As a sophomore, she placed second in the girl's competiton at the GISA State Tournament. The last two seasons, Solesbee has been named All-Region.

Strudwick on Solesbee: "She can definitely be another standout player. She comes in with a lot of raw talent and power and we need that after Lauren Hodge left the team and graduated. We needed that long ball hitter that can make a difference and she definitely brings that. She has played a lot of softball but switched to golf in middle school after she got an injury and brings that background of raw power and talent. She needs to learn a lot how to score and hopefully, as a coach, I can help her with that, but the fundamentals of fast hips, fast hands, chasing and going after the ball, she brings that."

Summer Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.): Smith, the daughter of Travis and Susan Smith, joins the Eagles by way of Halls High School in Knoxville, Tenn. As a senior, Smith was named All-KIL. The right-handed golfer has a 3.9 GPA at Halls and expects to study Business while on the banks of Mossy Creek.

Strudwick on Smith: "I've known Summer she was like 12 and her parents and her brother. For me, I just know her. I know her really well. I know she has excellent fundamentals. She has a local knowledge that she is going to bring in to the program. I love her parents. They are just going to be in full support of the program here, of her playing. I would love her to be a standout as soon as she comes in, but I'm also realistic and know that she has a lot to learn, but she has a work ethic that is outstanding. I know she is going to work hard and be competitive and she is going to fight for that position and I know she will make it."

-CN-