Cowgirls sign talented trio for 2017
STILLWATER — The reigning Big 12 champion Oklahoma State women’s golf team signed a trio of Cowgirls to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
Courtney Jones, the 2016 Big 12 Coach of the Year, welcomed the additions of Emma Whitaker of Kansas, Stephanie Astrup of Denmark and Renata Fierro of Mexico.
“The future is bright for Cowgirl golf as we welcome our latest signees to Oklahoma State,” Jones said. “These three young women and their families fit perfectly into our program and have already embraced the spirit of Oklahoma State and take great pride in wearing orange. I look forward to seeing the impact they will make at OSU in their academic and athletic pursuits.”
Emma Whitaker
Whitaker ranks as the No. 1 high school player in the state of Kansas according to Golfweek and Junior Golf Scoreboard. She led Kapaun Mount Carmel High School to the 2016 Kansas 5A state title for a fourth straight season, and earned her fourth straight First-Team All-State selection.
She set a pair of course scoring records and won every high school tournament during her senior season, and was named the City League Player of the Year in each of the last three years.
In fact, Whitaker won 25 of the 40 tournaments she competed in during her high school career.
Whitaker won the Kansas Sunflower Girls Championship (twice) and the Kansas State Junior Girls Championship. She participated in over a dozen American Junior Golf Association events (AJGA), including a win in the Hale Irwin Championship qualifier. Whitaker won the 2016 Kansas Women’s Golf Association Junior State Championship by four strokes (74-72 — 146).
Jones on Whitaker
“It is exciting to find someone close to home that is such a great fit with our program. Emma led her team to four high school state championships and capped her high school career off as the state champion of Kansas. She was our first commitment in the 2017 class and embodies what it means to be a Cowgirl. Emma has determination and grit. She excels in the classroom, this in combination with her talent, work ethic and passion, will bring a lot to our team.”
Stephanie Astrup
Astrup competed in nearly a dozen international events in 2016, and is ranked as the No. 21 amateur player by the European Golf Rankings. She is currently ranked No. 368 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).
She finished sixth at the 2016 Danish International Ladies Amateur Championship at Silkeborg, and also finished sixth at the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship at Dundonald Links.
Astrup posted 68-70 at the German Girls Championship at St. Leon-Rot, which helped her finish fourth overall. She also competed in the Girls British Open Amateur at Royal St. David’s Golf Club over the summer, where she posted rounds of 76-76.
She carded 71-72-76-69 at the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Hooks GC in Sweden.
In 2015, Astrup won the Danish Match play Championship and finished third at the Danish Stroke play Championship.
Jones on Astrup
“Stephanie is a very impressive young lady. She has represented her country at the highest level in amateur golf. She is the national match-play champion in Denmark, a top ranked junior in Europe and knows how to win. Her experience competing all over the world will bring a lot to our team as she transitions to college golf. She has a lot of power off the tee and a steady demeanor on the golf course. She loves the game, knows how to work hard and I expect her to make an immediate impact on our program.”
Renata Fierro
Fierro is a veteran of 37 international and domestic tournaments in Mexico, and is expected to be an integral member of the Cowgirl golf program for the next four seasons.
She finished third at the GIRA Sureste Regional Championship and earned a top-10 finish at the IJGT Junior Championship at Oldfield Golf Club in South Carolina.
She finished 14th in the Bridgestone Golf Tournament of Champions in Orlando thanks to rounds of 79-76-80–235 and carded 79-76–155 at the IMG Junior World Qualifier at Hilton Head Lakes, which helped her finish in a tie for 11th place.
Jones on Fierro
“It is fun when you find a player who has a connection close to the OSU family. Renata’s golf instructor is former Cowboy Golf All-American, Rafael Alarcon, who helped lead our men’s golf team to two National Championships. She comes highly recommended to us from Rafael. Renata has a joy and energy about her that lifts up those around her. Her short game is her strength and she is determined to work hard to reach her dreams.”