The Augusta State women's golf team embarks on a new era today.
Lauren Smith, who became the fourth coach in Lady Jaguars history in January, sees her first tournament action on the other side of the ropes when Augusta State tees it up in the 54-hole Lady Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Fla.
The Lady Jaguars, ranked No. 39 by Golfweek , are seeking to build on a strong fall season that included two second-place finishes, a third and a seventh in four fall events.
Augusta State has five spring events to qualify for the NCAA Regionals, which would their first postseason appearance since 2006.
"The schedule for the spring is strong enough," Smith said, "that if they keep up their play, regionals and nationals are a viable option."
Junior Emilie Geury led the team in the fall with a 75.5 stroke average and a pair of runner-up finishes.
Sophomore Sarah Mooney posted three top-10 finishes and a 75.8 average.
Sophomore Tamara Luccioli (76.1) also recorded a pair of top-10 finishes.
Junior Mary Betancourt (76.8) posted one top-20 finish.
Senior Kristen Bragg (78.0) and junior Anna Lindeborg (78.1) each finished in the top 10 once.
Smith will try to help her team navigate a tough spring slate of tournaments. But she knows the routine well.
She played on the first Lady Jaguars team in 2001 and posted 15 top-10 finishes during her career. During her senior season, she won her first event and helped lead Augusta State to its first postseason appearance.
Smith was hired Jan. 10, replacing former coach Laura Coble who stepped down in late November.
PATIENCE: The Augusta State men's golf team is making its latest spring start in coach Josh Gregory's six seasons.
The Jaguars, ranked No. 51 by Golfweek , return to action March 9 at the General Jim Hackler Championship in Murrells Inlet, S.C.
Augusta State will play six regular-season events in seven weeks, including the Administaff Augusta State Invitational at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, which runs April 4-6.
Sophomore Jake Amos led the Jaguars in the fall with a 72.1 average with a win at the rain-shortened Mason Rudolph Intercollegiate.
Freshman Henrik Norlander (72.6) also collected an individual title in the fall, tying for medalist honors at the fall-ending CordeValle Collegiate.
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com
LADY JAGUARS' SCHEDULE
Feb. 22-24 -- SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational, Gainesville, Fla.
March 9-11 -- Pinehurst Challenge, Pinehurst, N.C.
March 14-16 -- LSU/Cleveland Classic, Baton Rouge, La.
March 31-April 1-- John Kirk/Lady Panther Intercollegiate, Stockbridge, Ga.
April 7-8 -- UNC Wilmington Lady Seahawk Invitational, Wallace, N.C.
May 8-10 -- NCAA Regionals, TBA
May 20-23 -- NCAA Championships, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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