The postseason has officially arrived for the No. 14 women’s golf team, and with it comes the opportunity to solidify what has already been a strong 2024-25 campaign. The squad is set to begin play at the 2025 SEC Championship this week, and the stakes could not be higher. Held at the revered Greystone Golf & Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, the championship represents both a culmination and a proving ground—a chance to match up against the best teams in the conference and earn a spot among the elite in the national conversation.
With a roster that blends experience and youthful promise, the team enters the SEC Championship with momentum and confidence. The lineup is headlined by a trio of veterans who have consistently performed at a high level throughout the season, leading the way with their poise under pressure and sharp focus on the course. Their leadership, both in play and presence, has been a defining feature of the program’s rise over the past few years and remains one of its strongest assets heading into the postseason.
One of the key storylines to watch this week will be the continued evolution of the team’s younger players, who have stepped up in critical moments throughout the regular season. Whether it’s clutch birdies in the final round or steady nerves on particularly difficult greens, the underclassmen have demonstrated that they’re not just along for the ride—they’re pivotal contributors capable of swinging the momentum of a tournament.
The SEC is perennially one of the most competitive conferences in collegiate golf, and the 2025 edition of the championship is no exception. With a field stacked with top-25 programs and individual players who rank among the best amateurs in the world, every round presents a new test. Navigating that gauntlet successfully requires more than just raw talent. It requires strategic discipline, mental toughness, and a sense of team unity that can carry players through rough stretches and amplify their highs.
For the No. 14 team, the regular season served as a blueprint for that approach. From opening tournaments in the fall to spring showdowns that sharpened their skills, each event built toward this moment. There were highs—like a dominant showing at the Clover Cup and top-three finishes at the Moon Golf Invitational and Valspar Collegiate—and a few learning opportunities as well, such as battling through tough weather conditions or dealing with lineup changes due to injury. But throughout it all, the team never lost sight of its postseason goals.
Coach Emily Rhodes has played an instrumental role in preparing her team for this stage. In her seventh season at the helm, Rhodes has cultivated a culture of accountability, resilience, and belief. Her emphasis on process over outcome has helped the team maintain composure during turbulent rounds, and her meticulous attention to detail—from pre-tournament scouting to post-round analysis—has ensured that no opportunity for growth is missed. Under her leadership, the program has consistently improved its national profile, and this week’s championship represents another chance to showcase that progress.
What sets this group apart, however, is more than just coaching and talent. It’s the chemistry. The players have built a strong bond off the course, one that translates into trust and communication when they’re competing. Whether it’s celebrating a birdie or offering encouragement after a tough hole, the team dynamic is grounded in mutual respect and a shared commitment to excellence. That cohesion could prove invaluable in the pressure-packed environment of the SEC Championship, where nerves often run high and the margin for error is razor-thin.
A key component to watch will be the team’s ability to adapt to the unique challenges posed by the Greystone Golf & Country Club layout. The course is known for its rolling fairways, strategic bunkering, and lightning-fast greens—all of which demand precision and course management. Several players on the team have competed here in previous years and are familiar with the nuances that can make or break a round. Their insight, paired with Rhodes’ strategic input, will be critical in crafting game plans for each round.
Weather could also play a factor, as it often does during spring tournaments in the Southeast. Forecasts suggest a potential mix of sunshine and rain throughout the week, meaning players will need to be prepared for a range of conditions. Adjusting yardages, dealing with softer greens or wind-swept fairways, and maintaining focus despite potential delays will all be part of the mental equation. In a field this deep, small details like club selection and green-reading can ultimately decide whether a team finishes in the top five or struggles to make the cut.
Another element of the championship format that makes it unique is the combination of stroke play and match play. After three rounds of stroke play, the top eight teams advance to a match-play bracket to determine the SEC Champion. This hybrid format rewards both consistency and head-to-head competitiveness, and it often favors teams with depth throughout their lineup. The No. 14 team has the type of balanced roster that could thrive under this structure. With multiple players capable of going low and others who excel in match play situations, the group has the tools necessary to make a deep run.
Individually, several players have a chance to contend for medalist honors as well. Sophomore standout Ava Sinclair has been on a tear this spring, posting back-to-back top-five finishes and showing a maturity beyond her years. Her precision with irons and unflappable demeanor make her a legitimate threat on any course, and she enters the week brimming with confidence. Senior captain Hannah Kim, meanwhile, has been a model of consistency, rarely carding over-par rounds and bringing a calming presence to the team. And don’t sleep on junior Emily Larson, whose power off the tee and aggressive approach could pay dividends at a course like Greystone.
While individual honors are certainly within reach, the team’s focus remains squarely on collective achievement. Making it through stroke play and into the match play bracket is the first objective. From there, anything can happen. In a format where momentum can swing on a single hole, the importance of staying mentally sharp and emotionally grounded cannot be overstated. That’s where the team’s regular-season experience, and the countless hours spent in practice and preparation, are expected to pay off.
Regardless of the final outcome, the SEC Championship serves as a valuable tune-up for what lies ahead—the NCAA Regionals and, potentially, the NCAA Championship. The lessons learned in Birmingham will travel with the team, shaping how they prepare for and respond to the challenges of the national stage. But before looking too far ahead, the task at hand is clear: put together three strong days of stroke play, earn a spot in match play, and give themselves a shot at lifting the SEC trophy.
There’s a quiet confidence around the program right now, the kind that comes from knowing you’ve put in the work and that you’re peaking at the right time. The players aren’t getting ahead of themselves. They’re not making bold predictions or setting unrealistic expectations. Instead, they’re locked in on the fundamentals—fairways, greens, and putts. One shot at a time. One round at a time.
In many ways, this tournament is the perfect test of everything they’ve built over the course of the year. It’s about measuring up against the best and seeing how far they’ve come. It’s about seizing the moment and embracing the pressure. And above all, it’s about representing the program with pride, knowing that every swing is part of something bigger than any individual scorecard.
As the sun rises over the rolling hills of Birmingham and the first tee shots are struck at Greystone, the postseason begins. For the No. 14 women’s golf team, it’s not just a tournament. It’s the start of a journey—and perhaps, if all goes right, a championship run they’ll never forget.