The University of Kentucky women’s golf team made a remarkable achievement by having two of their members, Laney Frye and Jensen Castle, honored as WGCA All-Americans, the first time since 1989. Frye, a rising senior from Lexington, Kentucky, broke four individual school records in 2022-23, including the single-season scoring average, the single-season’s par-or-better rounds, career par-or-better rounds, and the low 18-hole round. With her great performance, she contributed significantly to two team titles, and her sharp shooting this season helped her claim three of the best tournament totals in her college career.
Before that, Frye finished T6 at the 2023 Southeastern Conference Championship, which marked the program’s best individual finish at the tournament in more than a decade. She was named to the All-SEC Second Team, earning recognition for the second time in her career. She also earned a spot as one of the top 30 amateurs in the US to compete at the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Frye received the team’s low stroke average award and the most improved award at its annual banquet.
On the other hand, Jensen Castle, a senior from West Columbia, South Carolina, concluded the season with a 71.7 scoring average, which marked her career-best through four seasons at UK. She made nine starts in 2022-23, playing 27 competitive rounds. She finished with medalist honors to help UK win the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational. Castle was named an All-SEC Second Teamer and was invited to compete at the 2023 ANWA, making the cut for the second straight year.
Both Wildcats will return to the roster in 2023-23.
The Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) annually sponsors four All-American teams – First Team, Second Team, Honorable Mention, and Freshman Team. WGCA All-American awards are determined by the WGCA Awards Committee, which considers the following criteria; head-to-head competition, comparison with other conference athletes, comparison with year-end NCAA individual tournament results, and overall season record. It is one of the greatest honors a collegiate golfer can receive. For the coaches, having WGCA All-Americans on their team means they have outstanding players that exhibit a talent for the game and represent the university they play for. Therefore, the success of Frye and Castle is a significant boost to the UK Women’s Golf program, giving them more recognition as an emerging powerhouse in college golf.
In conclusion, the recognition of Laney Frye and Jensen Castle as WGCA All-Americans proves that UK Women’s Golf is heading in the right direction and producing some of the best young talents in the sport. This achievement is a testimony to the team’s hard work and dedication, and it inspires the team to work even harder towards greater success.
