Marshall University Athletics
Helly Named C-USA Golfer of the Week
3/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
IRVING, Texas - Sarah Helly (Enniscrone, Ireland) was named the Conference USA Women's Golfer of the Week on Wednesday after posting Marshall's top finish at the Edwin Watts / Kiawah Island Spring Classic.
The award is the first of the senior's career, and a first for Marshall women's golf this season. She is the first female Herd golfer to earn the honor since classmate Korakot Simsiriwong (Narathiwat, Thailand) did in September 2013.
"I'm really happy for Sarah," coach Tiffany Prats said. "She has stepped up as a senior and I'm glad to see her hard work is paying off. The golf course this week was perfect for her being firm and fast. Early in the week I remember thinking the cold and rain plus the course were a perfect setup for her being from Ireland. I think this honor comes at a great time early in her last semester to help build confidence as the season progresses."
The senior is the sixth female golfer from Marshall all-time to earn the accolade, alongside Simsiriwong (2012, `13), Allison Harper (2011), Larie Lynch (2007, '09, '10), Amber Churchill (2007) and Allyson Hatcher (2007).
Helly shot a career-low 70 in the second round and finished in a tie for 14th out of 210 competitors at 4-over-par 220. She posted the event's second-best average on par 5 at 4-under 4.69. Her scores helped the Herd to its best finish at the tournament (13th). Marshall's highest finish at the event prior to this season was 25th in 2014.
Tabbed as the largest collegiate golf tournament in the country, the 2015 edition of the Edwin Watts / Kiawah Island Spring Classic expanded to 40 teams and was played for the first time in its history at Osprey Point (par 72/5,964 yards) at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort on Kiawah Island, S.C. Two courses were used for the three-day, 54-hole tournament including Oak Point (par 72/5,901 yards).
"This is a great award not only for Sarah but for our team as well," Prats said. "It say that the changes we are making are starting to take effect."
Up next, Marshall women's golf will pick up action March 13-15 at the 3M Jaguar Invitational hosted by GRU Augusta in Augusta, Ga. For all the latest information about Marshall women's golf, follow @HerdMWGolf on Twitter.
---HerdZone.com---
