AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas women's golf team received National Letters of Intent from three of the nation's top golfers, head coach Susan Watkins announced on Thursday, Nov. 18. High school teammates Caney Hines (San Antonio, Texas/Ronald Reagan) and Meredith McMahan (San Antonio, Texas/Ronald Reagan), along with Erica Doody (Houston, Texas/Lamar), will join the Longhorns for the 2005-06 season.
"It is important for our program that we receive commitments from our in-state athletes," said Watkins. "This group understands the tradition of Texas golf and what it takes to be successful here. I expect them to make a huge impact next season."
Hines was one of the top recruits in the country and her sound game has coach Watkins expecting her to crack the lineup when she arrives in Austin. She was twice named Honorable Mention AJGA All-American and won two tournaments on the junior circuit (2004 TPC Fore! Junior and the 2003 Randall-Parker Shootout). She also has tallied six top three finishes during her AJGA career.
McMahan was named Honorable Mention AJGA All-American in 2004 after placing in the top 15 four times. She impressed the coaching staff with her improvement from her junior to senior year and she put it all together to win the Abilene Junior AJGA Tournament last summer. She's got family ties to Texas as well. Her father Pat is the Chairman of the Longhorn Club Committee and a graduate of Texas.
Doody, who previously attended camps at Texas, brings an unparalleled work ethic to the Longhorns. She grew up in Fairfield, Calif., but was accepted into the International Baccalaureate Program at Lamar High School in Houston, prior to her senior season. She enjoys practicing and working out, which coach Watkins believes will be a key asset in her development. Doody earned a semifinalist medal at the 2004 Women's Western Junior Championship in July and recorded two top 15 finishes in junior tournaments last summer.
The Longhorns have completed their fall season and they will return to the course on Feb. 7 when they travel to Palos Verdes Country Club in Palos Verdes, Calif. to compete at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge.
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