UNCP's Moore Named Women's Golf All-American

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Just less than a week removed from grabbing runner-up honors at the 2012 NCAA Division II Golf Championships, junior Meghan Moore became the first all-American in the history of the Peach Belt Conference.  Armstrong's Jenna Birch was named an honorable mention.

Moore, a Durham native, was one of 16 student-athletes to grace the first or second team National Golf Coaches Association Division II All-American teams. Moore was also one of five players named to the NGCA All-South Region squad as well. Armstrong Atlantic's Jenna Birch was named as an honorable mention all-American.

Moore posted a school record and Peach Belt Conference-leading 76.03 stroke average this season – the second-best total in the history of the league. Along the way, she picked up PBC Player of the Year and first team all-PBC laurels after registering 11 top-10 finishes (12 events), including five tournaments in which she finished among the top five players on the individual leaderboard. A two-time PBC Female Golfer of the Week selection, Moore took home individual medalist honors at both the Armstrong Pirate Women's Invitational and Ralph Hargett Memorial, while finishing second at a quartet of tournaments, including the NCAA Super Regional Two Tournament and the NCAA Championships.

A three-year starter for the Lady Braves, Moore has compiled a program-best 76.3 career stroke average, while also posting 19 top-10 finishes (23 total events) over the last three years, including 17 top-5 showings. She has also tallied a phenomenal .930 (1,367-103) win-loss percentage during that time frame as well.

Birch adds yet another first to her impressive resume as she becomes the first Armstrong women's golfer to earn All-America honors in the seven-year history of the program. The Fleetwood, England, native qualified individually for the NCAA DII Women's Golf National Championships and finished 21st at the four-day tournament.

Birch carded a 76.59 stroke average in 22 rounds this season for the Pirates, earned first-team All-Peach Belt Conference honors and captured the Newberry College Invitational on Feb. 19-20.

The National Golf Coaches Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization representing women's collegiate golf coaches. The NGCA was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today, the NGCA represents nearly 500 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes they represent.

PING NGCA Division II Player of the Year
Abbey Gittings, Nova Southeastern
 
NGCA Division II Freshman of the Year
Lilliana Camisa, Nova Southeastern
 
NGCA Division II Kim Moore Spirit Award
Kelsey Bortnem, Augustana
 
Division II Eaton Golf Pride NGCA National Coach of the Year
Rebecca Mailloux, Grand Valley State
 
Division II Eaton Golf Pride NGCA Regional Coaches of the Year
East Region Coach of the Year: Rebecca Mailloux, Grand Valley State
Central Region Coach of the Year: Peggy Kirby, Augustana
South Region Coach of the Year: Daniel Randolph, Lynn
West Region Coach of the Year: Jennifer McNeil, St. Edwards
 
NGCA Division II All-American Teams

First Team
Maria Luz Besio, Newberry
Lilliana Camisa, Nova Southeastern
Abbey Gittings, Nova Southeastern
Spencer Heller, Sonoma State
Sarah Hoffman, Grand Valley State
Maggie Leland, Augustana
Daniela Ortiz, Nova Southeastern
Courtney Soekland, California State, Monterey Bay
 
Second Team
Melanie Audette, Florida Southern
Katrina Choate, Drury
Sharon Lau, Tarleton State
Dianne Luke, California (PA)
Erin Misheff, Ashland
Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke
Wallis Spears, St. Edward's
Chaney Uhles, Central Oklahoma
 
Honorable Mention
Taylor Babcock, Barry University
Jenna Birch, Armstrong
Irene Calvo, Lynn
Kayla Ecklekamp, Maryville
Charlotte Jaengkit, Grand Canyon
Megan Kiley, Florida Southern
Emily Kvidera, Augustana
Jacqueline Lau, Tarleton State
Amy Thompson, Indianapolis
 
NGCA All-Region Teams

East Region
Amy Thompson, Indianapolis
Katrina Choate, Drury
Kelly Hartigan, Grand Valley State
Brooke Albers, Findlay
Dianne Luke, California (PA)
Sarah Hoffman, Grand Valley State
 
Central Region
Faylyn Beyale, Western New Mexico
Jennifer Hilts, Colorado Mesa
Maggie Leland, Augustana
Haley Raymond, Western New Mexico
Jenny Benoy, Augustana
 
South Region
Lilliana Camisa, Nova Southeastern
Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke
Abbey Gittings, Nova Southeastern
Nancy Vergara, Barry
Melanie Audette, Florida Southern
 
West Region
Katy Ward, Tarleton State
Spencer Heller, Sonoma State
Chaney Uhles, Central Oklahoma
Haley Haught, St. Edwards
Taylor Neidy, Central Oklahoma