Women’s golf inks two during early signing period

UNCG coach Emily Marron

GREENSBORO, N.C.—UNCG head women's golf coach Emily Marron has announced the signing of Sammie Buchanan (Bluffton, S.C) and Lily Crane (Jamestown, N.C.) to National Letters-of-Intent during the fall early signing period.

Buchanan, a senior at Bluffton High School, helped lead the Bobcats to the South Carolina state championship in October, their second state title in three years. Her performance in the state tournament earned her All-State recognition.

"Sammie is a tremendous athlete," said Marron. "She not only is an accomplished golfer but a 9-time World Karate Champion. I am confident her competitive nature will help her in her college golf career. Sammie somewhat flew under the radar in junior golf, but I truly believe she will continue to develop and contribute to our success right away.  I'm anxious to see how far Sammie can go with her game here at UNCG."

A highly decorated junior player, Buchanan won three Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (HHIJGA) championships and captured the Palmetto Dunes Junior Challenge in 2010. She was voted team MVP five years in a row.

Crane is currently a senior at Ragsdale High School. A two-time conference individual champion, Crane won the 4A Central Regional in 2011. She also won the Bryan Invitational in 2010 and 2011, and captured individual medalist honors at the Bubba Watson in 2010.

"Lily is a strong player with a great deal of potential," said Marron. "She has improved tremendously over the past year, and is one of the best up-and-coming players in North Carolina.  Lily comes from a well-known golf family, and has experienced her own success on the junior level.  We are excited about Lily joining our program, and confident that she will be a contributor right away."

Crane's comes from a golfing family. Her sister, Sydney, and mother, Sherri, both played golf at North Carolina, and current NC State golf coach Page Marsh in her aunt.
--UNCG--