Western Kentucky sophomore women's golfer Mary Joiner tied the second-best 54-hole score in program history Sept. 7 to finish third in the North Florida-hosted UNF Collegiate in Jacksonville, Fla. (Steve Roberts/WKU Athletics)

Western Kentucky’s women’s golf team begins its season this weekend at South Alabama’s USA Intercollegiate in Mobile, Ala.

WKU says goodbye this year to graduated seniors Georgina Blackman and Katie Story, who were standouts for the program for four and three years, respectively.

“They’re going to be sorely missed, but it gives the younger ones an opportunity to step up and get some playing time, for sure,” WKU coach Adam Gary said in a news release. “Hard work pays off. They just have to dig in. The opportunity is there, so you just have to prepare for it so that when that opportunity comes, you’re ready.”

WKU will be one of 16 teams competing this weekend at the par-72, 6,002-yard RTJ Magnolia Grove-Crossings Course in Mobile, Ala.

Teams will play one round each day Saturday through Monday, with the Lady Toppers first teeing off at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Juniors Mary Joiner, Bailey Tyree and Abigail Smee, along with sophomore Megan Clarke and freshman Lizzie Loy, will represent WKU in Mobile. Sophomore Caroline Cavin will compete as an individual.

Joiner continues to build on one of the best careers in program history – with two seasons to go. Her 73.9 stroke average in 2017-18 was the best in team history, and her four career individual titles are already a program record.

Gary said Joiner has picked up right where she left off in qualifying. The Franklin native finished second last year at the USA Intercollegiate.

“Normally I don’t play that well in qualifying, but this year I’ve scored a lot better,” Joiner said in a news release. “That gives me confidence moving forward, but at the end of the day what matters is how you do in tournaments. I just have to keep a good mindset and try to limit mistakes. That’s what I really worked on all summer – play easier, more boring golf instead of trying to scramble for a bogey or par.”

WKU will miss the steady play of Blackman and Story. Blackman was the first four-year all-league player in program history, and she won the England women’s amateur championship in July.

Smee and Tyree combined for three top-10s and six top-25s last season, while Clarke had four top-25s on her own, including an 11th-place finish in the Conference USA Championship.

“It’s definitely weird this year having no seniors, so now me, Bailey and Mary as juniors are the older ones,” Smee said in a news release. “It’s just being there for everyone. We’re trying to take that senior role if anyone needs help, and just all looking out for each other.”