EMCC Lions set to tee off men’s and women’s fall golf slates at Tunica National

SCOOBA – East Mississippi Community College is set to make history within its athletics program when the EMCC women's golf team officially competes on the links for the first time at this week's MACCC Fall Preview at Tunica National. Slated to tee off Monday, the two-day, EMCC-hosted invitational tournament (Sept. 16-17) will mark the opening of the 2024-25 MACCC men's golf conference schedule in addition to serving as a preview competition for next spring's NJCAA Gulf District Championship to also be hosted by EMCC.

"I'm excited to get the season started at Tunica National because it's a links-style course that demands excellent course management and challenges your mental game," EMCC head men's and women's golf coach Ashton Maddaloni noted. "I think it will be the perfect venue for our district championship and will provide a true test for the teams who wish to prevail and reach the national tournament."

With Maddaloni guiding both EMCC golf teams, the inaugural EMCC women's quintet is comprised of Mississippi products Lannee Bray (Central Hinds Academy), Caymen Bunting (Northwest Rankin HS) and Reese McNeer (Center Hill HS), along with New Orleans native Kaylee Dufrene (Mount Carmel Academy) and Lucy Lunceford from Northport, Alabama (Northside HS).

Aided by the NJCAA's Sport Opportunity Grant that financially assisted with the introduction of the EMCC women's golf program, the Lions have joined Northwest Mississippi and Pearl River as the first three Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference members to compete in women's golf beginning this fall semester.

"I am very excited to get our women's program started, and our five players are ready to compete," Maddaloni said. "They have been working hard and are continuing to challenge one another."

Encouraged by their collective work ethic and camaraderie, Maddaloni believes each of her freshmen will contribute to the team during this debut women's season for the Lions.

"Lucy's short game is a weapon, and I see her being very solid throughout the season. Kaylee and Reese are long hitters, and I don't see many girls out-driving them on the course. Caymen will be a key player for us because is so steady. Lannee is an athlete and a fast learner who should improve drastically over the course of the year," Maddaloni continued. 

Getting set to begin her fourth season as the head coach of the EMCC men's golf team, Maddaloni guided the Lions to their first district tournament team appearance since 2018 a year ago. The season prior, the Lions came within one shot of earning a district tournament appearance following a narrow playoff loss during the 2023 MACCC men's golf championship.

Looking to be headlined by reigning All-MACCC second-team selection Lorenzo Ligabue of Italy, the 2024-25 EMCC men's golf squad features four returners and four newcomers. Also back for the Lions are Mississippi products Trace Carpenter (Winona Christian School), Brian Ludden (Hernando HS) and Walker Tedford (Water Valley HS). EMCC's incoming quartet consists of Spain native Pelayo Castillo Alonso along with Mississippians Lawson Burton (Itawamba Agricultural HS), Bryce Shivers (Prentiss Christian School) and Whitt Welch (Leake Academy).

With an expected season-opening lineup to consist of Ligabue, Castillo Alonso, Ludden, Carpenter and Shivers, along with Burton, Tedford and Welch set to play as individuals this week, Maddaloni is also looking forward to seeing her talented men's team compete this season.

"I believe this is the most depth we've had on the men's team since I've been here. The competition level throughout qualifying has been high, and I'm excited for what the season holds," Maddaloni noted. "The freshmen came in ready to work hard and compete, and they continue to challenge our sophomores. The sophomores have certainly stepped up as leaders, and I'm eager to see how much they've improved with a year under their belts."

East Mississippi's fall golf slate also features scheduled women's tournaments to be hosted by Snead State [AL] Community College (Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at Cherokee Ridge), Meridian CC (Oct. 7-8 at Briarwood), and Jefferson State [AL] CC (Oct. 28-29 at Musgrove).

The EMCC men's fall schedule also includes tournaments to be hosted by Meridian CC (Oct. 7-8 at Briarwood), Hinds CC (Oct. 21-22 at Castlewoods), Mississippi Gulf Coast CC (Oct. 28-29 at Windance), and Jefferson State [AL] CC (Oct. 28-29 at Musgrove).