WKU Women’s Golf earns CUSA Superlative awards

DALLAS, Tx. – Three members of the WKU Women’s Golf Team and Head Coach Adam Gary have earned CUSA superlative awards following a record-breaking 2023-24 campaign, the Conference announced Thursday afternoon.

Lady Toppers Catie Craig and Sarah Arnold were named to the All-CUSA First Team. The members of the First Team were determined using the top-five ranked golfers using Clippd.

Catie Craig put together one of the best seasons in program history. She broke four individual records including the lowest round score (63), lowest 36-hole score (130), lowest 54-hole score (201), and broke the program season stroke average record, turning in a 70.2 average. The Lady Topper junior turned in top-10 finishes in every tournament this season and claimed two individual victories at the Jennifer Duke Invitational and Spring Break Shootout. This is Craig’s second All-CUSA honor.

The Georgia native earned an at-large bid to compete in the NCAA Regional for the second straight year. Craig will be traveling to East Lansing to compete in the Regional from May 6-8.

Graduate Student Sarah Arnold had a record-breaking season in her own right on her way to an All-CUSA First Team nod. The Illinois native finished in the top-five on three occasions this season, along with five top-10 finishes.

Arnold moved to second all-time in program history for season stroke average (72.1), 36-hole score (134), and 54-hole score (204). She also set a new career best for lowest round score after shooting a 66 at the Spring Break Shootout.

This is Arnold’s second career All-CUSA Conference Team nod.

Senior Addie Westbrook earned All-CUSA Second-Team honors after being voted in by coaches. This is Westbrook’s first All-CUSA honor.

Westbrook ended her season with a 73.6 stroke average which was the third best on the team and fifth all-time in program history for a single season. She finished the year with two top-five finishes, including a fourth-place finish at the Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational. She also finished in the top-20 five times this year.

The winningest coach in WKU Women’s Golf history, Adam Gary was named the CUSA Coach of the Year. Gary led the Lady Tops to one of the best seasons in program history. The Lady Tops finished in the top-five in nine of their 10 tournaments, including two victories at the Jennifer Duke Invitational and Spring Break Shootout. Coach Gary’s team shattered the program season stroke average record with a 289.2 average.

The Lady Tops closed their season as the number 69 ranked team in the country according to Spikemark.

Gary extended his record setting win total to 11 this season.

“I’m very honored to win Coach of the Year with so many quality coaches in our conference”, said Gary. “Good players make good coaches and I’m extremely lucky to have top quality players on the team. They make coaching fun and none of this would have been possible without them.” Gary continued, “I also want to thank our administration at WKU for all the support they have given me since I was hired. They allow me to make the experience better for our players every year.”