Kathleen Ekey to Join Tide Women's Golf Program
7/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? University of Alabama head women’s golf coach Mic Potter, who came to Tuscaloosa after leading Furman for 23 seasons, has added a former Lady Paladin to his roster with the Tide. Kathleen Ekey, a junior from Wadsworth, Ohio, will transfer to Alabama to play for Potter in the fall.
“I recruited Kathleen while I was still the coach at Furman, and believed at that time that she had as much potential as any player that I had ever signed,” Potter said. “Her two-year college career has proven that she is on the verge of becoming one of the best players in the country. She is a tremendous young lady and a great fit for our program.”
Ekey, the 2005-06 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, played two seasons at Furman before deciding to make the move to Alabama to play for Potter, who recruited her to Furman before he accepted the position with the Tide.
Last season as a sophomore, Ekey lost a heartbreaking decision after a bid to win the NCAA East Regional individual title, where Furman placed 11th in the team standings. She was named to the NGCA All-Region team and earned Southern Conference Player of the Month honors in May. Ekey had six top-10 finishes on the season.
Ekey was first team All-Southern Conference as a freshman for the Lady Paladins after posting a 75.24 stroke average and recording six rounds of even-par or better.
Ekey was one of the top preps in the state of Ohio, leading Walsh Jesuit to two state titles in 2001 and 2004. She was the individual medalist in the 2004 state tournament and was a four time Individual Section Champion. Ekey won the 2005 USGA Women’s Amateur Qualifier in Cincinnati and competed in the 2003 and 2004 USGA Girls’ Amateur events.
A high school Academic All-American as a senior, Ekey was also a member of the National Honor Society of her high school and of the Dulles Chapter of the organization.
Ekey is the daughter of Laura and Sam Ekey and has a younger brother, Byron. A member of the Phi Eta Sigma honor society at Furman, Ekey plans to major in communications at Alabama.
