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NORMAL, Ill. – Eastern Kentucky University's women's golf team will begin its 2026-27 season on Sunday at the 2-day Redbird Invitational hosted by Illinois State University.  It is the exact same tournament and course EKU began last season – and won.
 
The 54-hole event will be contested on the par-72, 6,169-yard course at Weibring Golf Club.
 
Last year, the Colonels defeated South Dakota by one shot to capture the team title.  In addition, Eastern Kentucky's Karra Tucker was the individual medalist, winning by three shots.
 
The participating teams include Augusta, Butler, Denver, Illinois State, Illinois Wesleyan, Indiana State, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, South Dakota State and St. Thomas.
 
The teams will play a practice round on Saturday.  The first two rounds will begin with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.  The final round is scheduled for a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. ET on Monday.
 
EKU's starting five will include Tucker, junior Maddi-Jo Benton, freshman Mollie Neeley, senior Claira Ramsey Eden and freshman Josie Kelley.  Junior Imogen Jessen will play as an individual.
 
Tucker was third on the team last season with a 77.58 stroke average and led the team with five rounds at par or below.  Eden posted a 78.43 stroke average and had one top-5 finish.  Benton posted an 80.90 stroke average.  Jessen was second on the team with a 77.26 stroke average.
 
Neeley and Kelley will be making their collegiate debuts.  Neeley, a Richmond native, helped Madison Central High School capture state championships in 2022 and 2025.  Kelley was a 3-time all-state selection at Noblesville High School in Indiana.