Elizabeth Dotson, Beth Felts will join Cats next fall

Tennessee high school standouts Elizabeth Dotson and Beth Felts have signed to play collegiate golf at the University of Kentucky, head coach Stephanie Martin Barker announced Friday.

“We are thrilled that Elizabeth and Beth have decided to join our Wildcat family,” Barker said. “These two girls are not only phenomenal athletes, but also great students and wonderful people. They are going to fit in well here at Kentucky and play a major role in helping our team accomplish its goals.”

Dotson, who hails from White Bluff, Tenn., has captured two consecutive state tournament titles and a total of three titles while at Creek Wood H.S. Her two-day 139 total in the 2002 tournament tied the lowest in Tennessee state tournament history. Last season, Dotson led all golfers with a two-under 70 and became the district medalist to lead Creek Wood to its first ever district championship. After that amazing run in 2002, Power Bar recognized Doston with a national honor, naming her Power Bar National Athlete of the Week. Dotson continued her success into 2003 with another state championship, and just this summer fired a 70 and led a qualifying round in Nashville, Tenn., for the U.S. Junior Sectionals. Dotson is ranked 27th in the nation according to the Golfweek/Titleist Performance Index.

Felts, a Chattanooga, Tenn., native, led The Baylor School to its ninth consecutive state championship in 2003. While her high school has dominated the state as a team and holds a place in the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Felts has also dominated the Division II state high school golf tournament, winning the individual title in 2001 and 2003. Just after earning medalist honors in 2001, Felts burst onto the map that summer by winning the Chattanooga Women?s City Amateur Championship. She was also honored as a high school All-American and is the reigning 2003 district champion. Her two-day total of 141 at the state tournament is currently tied for the fourth-lowest 36-hole score in state tournament history, and both Felts and Dotson are tied for the second-lowest 18-hole score at the state tournament with a 68.

Felts is also a star of The Baylor School?s soccer team, as she was named MVP of the state tournament after her team captured its third state championship in the last four years.

“Both Elizabeth and Beth exemplify the type of student-athlete a coach aspires to work with,” Barker said. “I am excited for them and for us — they are one of the best recruiting classes we have had here at the University of Kentucky.”