Story courtesy of Centenary College Sports Information
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – Former Centenary College Ladies Golfer Courtney Kale was honored as the NCAA Division III recipient of the Kim Moore Spirit Award, while Jessie Varner grabbed All-District accolades, announced the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA).
The Kim Moore Spirit Award is dedicated to Kim Moore, who played golf for the University of Indianapolis (1999-2003). According to the WGCA, “Kim was an inspiration to all as she persevered through many physical challenges while playing collegiate golf. Her positive outlook and dedication toward the game was only outdone by her sense of humor and passion for the game.”
“Courtney is the epitome of a ‘trooper,” said Centenary Golf head coach Emlyn Aubrey. “From her health problems since childhood which resulted in two surgeries, to her shoulder separation and broken hand bone on the golf course, Courtney has clearly endured. What makes it all special is that she healed and was willing to get back to that Student-Athlete that I recruited out of high school, playing golf her final two semesters and being a solid contributor. Courtney is one human being we can all be inspired by, and I am so happy she was and always will be a Centenary Ladies Golf team member.”
Kale finished her Centenary career in the fall of 2017. She continued with the Ladies Golf team despite health issues, injuries, and even surgeries during her time at Centenary. Her highest finish came at the 2017 Southern Collegiate Championships. She fired her best score in her final collegiate tournament, the Hardin-Simmons Abilene Intercollegiate, October 23-24, 2017.
Varner was named to the WGCA West All-Region Team for 2017-18. She captured four titles and seven top-5 finishes in the nine tournaments of competition – including beginning the season with two straight wins. She turned in her best collegiate score to par (147, +3) to win the UT Tyler Al Jones Memorial on September 25-26, 2017. In claiming victory for the second-consecutive season in the tournament, Varner fired her lowest collegiate round (72, even) on the second day.
“I think it's safe to say that Jessica Varner will leave Centenary as the most decorated female golfer in its history,” said head coach Emlyn Aubrey. “It's been an incredible experience for me watching her mature not only as a person, but also as the solid player she has become during her college career.”
Varner also finished third at the 2018 SCAC Championships with a 157 (+13) total to earn First Team All-Conference accolades for the third consecutive season.
Other wins on the season for Varner include the Louisiana College Fall Classic (September 18-19, 2017), the Concordia Linda Lowery Invite (February 26-27, 2018), and the Letourneau Pinecrest Intercollegiate (March 12-13, 2018). For the season, Varner was named SCAC Women’s Golfer of the Week after all four wins.
Varner was the only SCAC women’s golfer recognized by the WGCA on the All-Region squad.
To see the full WGCA release, click here.
