Nov. 19, 2008
NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt head women’s golf coach Greg Allen has announced the signings of Gabrielle Balit, Anna Leigh Keith, and Lauren Stratton to National Letters of Intent and all three will be eligible for the Commodores in the fall of 2009.
“We are very excited about our 2009 signees and I think that they will have a huge impact on our program, on and off the golf course,” said Allen. “They have very outgoing personalities, are great students and will represent Vanderbilt University with honor and integrity at all times.”
Gabrielle Balit, originally from Montreal, Quebec, currently attends the Out of Door Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Balit recorded an AJGA Top 10 finish in the Stars of Texas Junior in June, one of the top events for juniors in Texas.
“Gaby has outstanding athletic ability and a desire to get better,” said Allen. “With a little more experience, she could very easily compete for a starting spot her first year.”
Anna Leigh Keith, from Moultrie, Ga., placed second at the 2008 GHSA 5A State Golf Championships and also competed in the Georgia/South Carolina team matches, where she swept all three of her matches and helped the Georgia team to a 17 ½ to 6 ½ win in the third annual event, which took place at the Sea Island Golf Club’s Retreat Course this summer. She also played in the 2008 U.S. Women’s Amateur, and was named a member of the AJGA HP Scholastic Junior All American Team this year. Keith, whose father attended Vanderbilt, chose the Commodores over the University of Georgia.
Lauren Stratton of Spring Hill, Tenn., has won two high school championships in three years for her Independence High School team in Spring Hill, and tied for first at The Wally in the spring of 2008, a prestigious tournament held at the Old Hickory Country Club in Old Hickory, Tenn. She has also competed on the Ruth Eller Cup team, a group of Tennessee women’s amateur golfers that competes against the top junior golfers from Canada every year. She will also be the first Commodore women’s golfer from the state of Tennessee since May Wood competed at Vanderbilt in 2003 and 2004.
“On the golf course, Anna Leigh and Lauren should come in right away and compete for a starting spot,” said Allen. “They both come in with a lot of national junior golf experience and can help this program accomplish our goals.”
