Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Long named C-USA Golfer of the Week
10/4/2017 12:01:00 PM | Women's Golf
Shot 4-under in Top 5 finish at "The Johnie"
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee junior golfer Hanley Long has been named the Conference USA Golfer of the Week following her 4-under par (72-71-69=212) performance at the Johnie Imes Invitational in Columbia, Mo.
The 54-hole total of 212 was the best performance of her career and tied for the third-best 54-hole total in program history. The 3-under 69 she fired in the final round was also the second-lowest round of her career and vaulted her into a fifth place finish at "The Johnie" on Tuesday.
"I came into this week with a lot more confidence and belief in myself than I had the first couple of tournaments and I think that really helped my mindset and focus on the course," Long said. "My ball striking with my irons was as good as it's ever been this week."
The Clarksville, Tenn., native led the field of 75 golfers in pars with 41 in the 54-hole event while also ranking third in Par 5 scoring (-4) and seventh in Par 4 scoring (-1). She was one of only six golfers in the field that had two rounds under par and one of only five to shoot par or better in all three rounds.
Long defeated 10 of the 12 golfers in the field who entered the tournament ranked ahead of her, including four Top 100 ranked players and helped the Blue Raiders to a third place finish with wins over both programs that were ranked ahead of them in the field of 14 teams.
"Our whole team is playing well right now and with a great mindset," Long added. "We all have a lot of confidence in each other and believe we can compete with anyone in our league and in the country."
The 4-under performance lowered Long's season stroke average to 72.7, second on the team behind only redshirt junior Jenna Burris. Following "The Johnie," Long now ranks tied for seventh in school history with 13 rounds of par or better in her career and currently stands second in the Blue Raider record book in career stroke average at 75.1 strokes per round.
The Top 5 finish in Columbia was the second of her career alongside her second place finish at the 2016 Conference USA Championship.
"Hanley really played great this week and was playing with a lot more confidence like she always should," Head Coach Chris Adams said. "She was striking the ball extremely well and her and this whole team have a great mindset out on the course right now."
Long and the Blue Raiders return to action on Oct. 22-24 when they travel to San Antonio for UTSA's Maryb S. Kauth Invitational at Briggs Ranch Golf Club.
The 54-hole total of 212 was the best performance of her career and tied for the third-best 54-hole total in program history. The 3-under 69 she fired in the final round was also the second-lowest round of her career and vaulted her into a fifth place finish at "The Johnie" on Tuesday.
"I came into this week with a lot more confidence and belief in myself than I had the first couple of tournaments and I think that really helped my mindset and focus on the course," Long said. "My ball striking with my irons was as good as it's ever been this week."
The Clarksville, Tenn., native led the field of 75 golfers in pars with 41 in the 54-hole event while also ranking third in Par 5 scoring (-4) and seventh in Par 4 scoring (-1). She was one of only six golfers in the field that had two rounds under par and one of only five to shoot par or better in all three rounds.
Long defeated 10 of the 12 golfers in the field who entered the tournament ranked ahead of her, including four Top 100 ranked players and helped the Blue Raiders to a third place finish with wins over both programs that were ranked ahead of them in the field of 14 teams.
"Our whole team is playing well right now and with a great mindset," Long added. "We all have a lot of confidence in each other and believe we can compete with anyone in our league and in the country."
The 4-under performance lowered Long's season stroke average to 72.7, second on the team behind only redshirt junior Jenna Burris. Following "The Johnie," Long now ranks tied for seventh in school history with 13 rounds of par or better in her career and currently stands second in the Blue Raider record book in career stroke average at 75.1 strokes per round.
The Top 5 finish in Columbia was the second of her career alongside her second place finish at the 2016 Conference USA Championship.
"Hanley really played great this week and was playing with a lot more confidence like she always should," Head Coach Chris Adams said. "She was striking the ball extremely well and her and this whole team have a great mindset out on the course right now."
Long and the Blue Raiders return to action on Oct. 22-24 when they travel to San Antonio for UTSA's Maryb S. Kauth Invitational at Briggs Ranch Golf Club.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 28, 2025: Women's Golf and Men's Golf
Tuesday, April 29
"The Middle" - MT Athletics 2019 Lip Dub
Friday, April 26
@MT_WGolf NCAA Regional - Day 3
Saturday, May 07
