Mercer Women’s Golf Third at Great Smokies Intercollegiate

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (MERCER RELEASE) – The Mercer women’s golf team compiled a team score of 285 (-3) in Monday’s opening round of the Great Smokies Intercollegiate at the Waynesville Inn, finishing the day in third place among the 12 competing teams. Freshman Macy McRaney led the charge, shooting a 5-under 67 to enter the clubhouse in a tie for the individual lead.

Samford leads the event with a Monday total of 281 while host Western Carolina is second at 283. Methodist (292) is slotted fourth, while Eastern Kentucky (294) and Appalachian State (294) are tied for fifth place.

McRaney finished with a birdie and an eagle on her final two holes to cap a red hot back nine that required only 32 strokes. She’ll enter Tuesday’s final round tied with Samford’s Bailey Gray for first place, while Samford’s Sydney Deeham and Methodist’s Loretta Giovannettone are one stroke behind the leaders.

Senior Mary Alice Murphy posted a 2-under 70 and is tied for sixth place while her classmate Lacey Fears is tied for 12th place after shooting 72. Freshmen Katy Harris and Haley Austin each shot 76 and are tied for 30th place.

Junior Sarah Louie Brown used 74 strokes while competing as an individual and is tied for 22nd place.

The final round of the Great Smokies Intercollegiate is slated for a 9 a.m. shotgun start on Tuesday.