University of North Texas Athletics
Akers Lands A&M Transfer
5/3/2019 3:14:00 PM | Women's Golf
DENTON – After fighting through a lack of depth this season, UNT women's golf coach Michael Akers is putting himself in good position for the 2019-2020 season.
Adding to a pair of highly regarded incoming freshmen, Akers announced Friday the addition of Texas A&M transfer Katie Finley.
This past season, as a freshman for the Aggies, Finley competed in nine tournaments and posted a stroke average of 75.62, which would have only been beaten by Lauren Cox on this past season's UNT roster.
"The stars aligned, and I feel we are the perfect fit for Katie and she is a great fit for us," Akers said. "I am very excited for next season. We return our top three golfers and now have three very good newcomers signed. It is going to be fun. Our sights are on an NCAA Regional appearance as a team."
Finley, an Ardmore, Oklahoma, native, was the 4A state champion in Oklahoma as a senior in 2017 before heading to A&M. This past year, she had six rounds of par or better and a season-low round of 69. She also led the Aggies at UNT's tournament, The Bruzzy, with a score of 1-over par. She shot 2-over at the Schooner Fall Classic and fired a final-round 71 at the ICON Invitational, competing against the Mean Green, to post a top-20 finish. In January, she shot a final-round 67 at the Plum Creek Amateur in Kyle, Texas, to get into a playoff for the crown, which she won with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
"I am thrilled to announce the signing of Katie Finley to our roster for next fall," Akers said. "Katie had a very solid season at Texas A&M this past year as a freshman. She knows the direction of our program, as we played against A&M often this past year. Katie will be closer to home here at UNT, and I expect her to improve and help us to continue to rewrite the record books."
