Suzanne Strudwick Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn – The Carson-Newman women's golf team takes a quick trip south to Sevierville Country Club as the Eagles host the Smokey Mountain Intercollegiate Invitational this weekend.

Carson-Newman finished sixth in this tournament during the 2013 season.

Coach Suzanne Strudwick's team welcomes back four members from last year's team and they also welcome three newcomers to the squad. Strudwick is excited for her team to hit the links after the summer break.

"We are really excited. It's been a long summer for the girls. I challenged them to get into some tournaments this summer and all of them have done that very well," Strudwich said. "Kelli (Pemberton) won a tournament. Elizabeth England, our standout freshman, has done very well this summer. So, it's time to get it on. We've had our practice. We've had qualifying and so we are ready to get on and host all these 13 teams, so it's exciting for us."

The team's lone senior, Danielle Baiunco (Melbourne, Fla.), returns to Carson-Newman with high hopes for the season. Hopes that Strudwick reiterated.

"Danielle has done really well. I've seen a huge amount of maturity in her, both personality, character-wise, but also in her golf game," Strudwick said of the senior. "She's really worked hard and I'm so pleased. I think she really wants to make this senior year something really special and I want to help her do that, too."

Strudwick welcomed a transfer and three incoming freshmen to Mossy Creek this year.

Junior Rebekah Pruett (Niceville, Fla.) comes to Carson-Newman from McNeese State. Pruett's experience on the Division-I level has been helpful to the newcomers who have never played a competitive collegiate round of golf.

"I have one transfer from McNeese State, Rebekah Pruett, who comes in as a junior so she comes in with Division-I level experience. So, I'm really thrilled that she has decided to come here with all that experience and help those freshmen get settled," Strudwick said.

The Eagles' three freshmen: Elizabeth England (Oakland, Tenn.), Ashley Kay (Palos Heights, Ill.) and Mikaela Thibodeau (Davie, Fla.) will be making their collegiate debut this weekend in Sevierville. The trio of freshmen filled a role that Strudwick identified to bring in during the last recruiting cycle.

"I think a tremendous amount of athleticism. That's kind of what I wanted to recruit. Young girls who are fresh and young and exciting and dynamic and I've got that," Strudwick said. "And they have shown that already in their qualifying and how they have carried themselves on campus. So, it's going to be fun. Elizabeth is a standout. She is one of the top freshman for this year in the state of Tennessee."

The Smokey Mountain Intercollegiate Invitational starts Saturday morning at 7:45 a.m. with a shotgun start and runs through Sunday.