By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, NOV. 12, 2015 – USF women's golf has reeled in more young talent with winning experience for 2016-17.
Head coach Marci Kornegay has announced the signings of incoming freshmen Maria Alejandra Merchan, Cherise Otter and Amanda Leslie, who inked National Letters of Intent this week..
Learn more about the program's newest Bulls below:
Merchan is the younger sister of USF freshman standout Maria “Nani” Merchan and a member of the Venezuelan National Team. Merchan currently plays for American Heritage High School (Plantation, Fla.) and broke the state record in 2013 with a 9-under (27) in match play.
Merchan's Career Highlights: 2015 - South American Championship in Chile, 7th (72-76-76-76=300); USGA qualifying first alternate (74). 2014 - USGA Amateur qualifying first alternate (76); South Florida PGA Junior Championship (73-71=144); AJGA Weston Hills, 5th (72-80-69=221); AJGA Ocala, 11th (79-74-76=229); AJGA ChampionsGate, 15th (75-77-76=228).
Kornegay's Take: “This is a real special time for USF golf to have a sister duo on the roster. Nani and her sister are so competitive with each other. It is guaranteed they will push each other to be the best golfers they can be. Maria Alejandra has swing speeds just a few tenths away from 100 mph. She can compress the golf ball and I look forward to seeing her develop mentally as she matures into a collegiate golfer.”
Otter is a four-time Indiana all-state selection from Bloomington and the top-ranked junior in Indiana by National Junior Golf Scoreboard. Otter broke the state record with a 66 at the Indiana high school conference championship.
Otter's Career Highlights: 2015 – Indiana high school state runner-up and Mental Attitude Award winner; Golfweek Junior Tour Championship, 2nd (72-76-74-222); AJGA Under Armour/Gary Woodland Championship, 4th (78-74-73=225); AJGA Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior Championship, 10th (77-73-76=226). 2014 – Indiana high school state champion and player of the year.
Kornegay's Take: “Otter is a gritty and hardworking athlete who happens to be a talented and experienced golfer. She has experienced success at a rapid rate and I believe the best is yet to come. I am elated that she chose to leave the harsh winter conditions to come to USF and believe our program is a perfect fit for her to continue to grow and develop into a champion that she desires to be.”
Leslie (Parkland, Fla.) has made a big impact in the sport despite playing for only two and a half years. The former AAU soccer player made a switch to golf when she transferred to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and started competing in golf tournaments for the first time in the summer of 2014. Leslie's work ethic has paved the way for a 77 average in competition.
Leslie's Career Highlights: 2015 – USGA girls qualifier (78); Florida high school state tournament, 3rd (71-74=145); Florida high school regional runner-up (78); Florida high school district champion (74); Florida Junior Tour, Orange County (81-75=156); AJGA IZOD (79-76-75=230); AJGA Scott Stallings Championship (79-77-82=238). 2014 – Florida high school regional champion (71); Florida high school district champion (74); FSGA Team Junior Championship (73-73=146); Florida Junior Tour, Worthington (75-81=156).
Kornegay's Take: “Amanda epitomizes what results will come with hard work, dedication, and a desire to be better. There is incredible upswing to her golf career and she will continue to thrive as a competitor in our golf program. I look forward to seeing great resolve and development from Amanda."
