BOONEVILLE, Miss. - Fore, please, the Northeast Mississippi Community College women's golf program is at the tee box and ready to begin its inaugural season.
A lot of behind-the-scenes work has been accomplished by head coach Leigh Treloar in the 15 months since Northeast's newest sport was officially introduced from recruiting to ordering equipment to scheduling and much more.
Treloar, who boasts more than a decade of experience in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) between playing and instructing at her alma mater of Mississippi State University, is excited to watch her efforts pay off.
"It's all about learning and getting all of that stuff taken care of," she said. "I did it back at Mississippi State, but it's different here. Really getting that foundation set was what the most important thing was. We hit the ground running in recruiting."
There are five total players that will represent the Lady Tigers as they journey across the Southeast. The most decorated of the bunch is a hometown product in Andie Kate Ramey.
Ramey led Booneville High School to a state championship and runner-up finish during her final two years with the program. She was the individual medalist for each of those Class I tournaments as well.
She took top billings one year ago at Dogwoods Golf Club after beating her closest competitor by 17 shots with a three-under-par 137. Her scoring average of 73.1 during her senior campaign was the best in the Magnolia State.
Maggie McElhaney helped Northpoint Christian School reach the 2024 Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division II-A Tournament. She tied for 17th overall with a two-day total of 173.
"Andie Kate brings a lot of experience in. She's seen those difficult golf courses," said Treloar. "Maggie is the first one out there and the last to leave. She's always asking, 'What can I do to get better?' Her work ethic is one of the best I've seen."
Sidney Kelly had a solid senior season at Tupelo High School. She was the top finisher in three of their first four tournaments, including medalist honors at Amory's River Birch Golf Club with a nine-hole score of 41.
She also posted team-best results at events hosted in Dickson, Tenn., and Madison. Kelly wrapped up her prep career with a top 25 showing at the Class 7A tournament at Patrick Farms Golf Club.
Celeste Kreamer (Walker, La.) is the Lady Tigers' lone out-of-state representative on the initial team. Ivy-Kate Woodruff, who was part of Jumpertown High School's second-ever state tournament appearance, completes Northeast's roster.
"We've been out playing and practicing," Treloar said. "Figuring out what we need to work on to prepare for that first tournament. We're ready to get our feet wet. Let's go and see where we stack up."
The Lady Tigers make their official debut from September 15-16 at the Lady Ranger Classic in Holly Springs. The fall schedule, which stretches across three months, includes three trips into neighboring Alabama.
Northeast's autumn slate concludes with a match play style event against its fellow Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) members East Mississippi Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College and Pearl River Community College.