LEXINGTON, Ky. ?The Kentucky women?s golf team has signed three players for the 2006-07 season head coach Stephanie Barker announced Monday. Krista Burton (Russell Springs, Ky.), Jessica Smith (Louisville, Ky.) and Erica Still (Waycross, Ga.) have each signed a national letters of intent with the Wildcats this week.
?Krista, Jessica and Erica are all highly talented individuals who work hard, accomplish good grades and are active in their communities,? Barker said. ?Each of them bring so much to the table as individuals and players. I’m very excited for them and really appreciate that they made the decision to become Wildcats. It will be an honor to work with them in the coming years.?
Burton, a senior at Russell County High School, is a two-time regional golf champion (2004, 2005) and finished in the top 10 at the 2005 Kentucky High School Athletics Association state tournament. As a junior, Burton was the individual runner-up at the KHSAA state championships. Burton won the 2004 Henry Clay Invitational, finishing one under par and capturing the event by six strokes. As a sophomore, Burton helped her team win the state team title.
Burton finished 22nd at the Westfield PGA Junior Championship this past year after firing a four-round total of 301. She captured the 2003 Fuzzy Zoeller Invitational title in Sellersburg, Ind., topping a field of more than 100 participants. Burton is the daughter of Jacky and Wendy Burton.
?Krista has great fundamentals and knows how to win,? Barker said. ?She has had a tremendous high school career. I know her work ethic and drive will also help Krista succeed at this level.?
Smith, a senior at Assumption High School, is a three-time KHSAA All-State Team member who posted two top-10 finishes in American Junior Golf Association tournaments this summer. Smith was a member of a KHSAA state championship team her freshman year and qualified for the Women’s Amateur Pub Links her junior year after setting the course record at the University of Wisconsin’s University Ridge Golf Course.
Smith has won two PGA Junior Tour Series events, captured an AJCA Nike All-Star event and was a member of the Junior Ryder Cup team. Smith is the daughter of Earl and Marlene Smith.
?Jessica has incredible length and a tremendous amount of natural talent,? Smith said. ?With continued refinement of her short game and course management skills, Jessica has the opportunity to accomplish great things.?
Still, a senior at Ware County High School, has been playing varsity golf since seventh grade. Still posted two SJGT victories and two top-10 finishes in AJGA Tournaments. In the summer of 2004, Still recorded six GA/PGA Tour events and a SJGT win. Still is the daughter of Greg and Terri Still.
?Erica is going to be terrific,? Barker said. ?Even though she appears to small in build, Erica is extremely athletic and hits the ball quite long. She has experienced great success at the national level and knows she can compete with anyone.?
The Kentucky women’s golf team posted three top-five finishes in its five tournaments this fall and begins spring competition on Feb. 21, as it travels to Miami Lakes, Fla., to compete in the Papa John’s Collegiate Invitational.
For all of the latest information on Wildcat Golf, please visit www.ukathletics.com.
