Women's golf swings into action

The Troy women’s golf team officially opened the 2025-2026 season this week. The team set out to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, for the Golfweek Challenge presented by USA Today.  

The Trojans finished in 17th place out of 20 teams at the competition, facing off teams including Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Arkansas State, Boise State, Cincinnati and Appalachian State. 

Brady Fitch photo

Katelynn Altese stands during an event last season

After losing senior Alyssa Mercado to graduation during the offseason, the Trojans added freshmen Constanza Quiroga, Juju Peterson and Evelyn Tankersley to the roster. Quiroga impressed in her collegiate debut, placing second on the team behind Mathilda Ringblom. 

Ringblom paced Troy, finishing +5 to end up in 29th place. The sophomore opened up the season with a blazing one-under round and continued her solid play across the final two rounds. Ringblom logged three birdies in the third round on Tuesday.   

The trio of Katelynn Altese, Quiroga and Manya Saini tied for 59th place in the event, all slotting in at +11. 

Quiroga, who is the highest-rated Troy golf recruit in program history, is got her first taste of collegiate competition. The true freshman worked around a tough second round to log 1-over and even-par rounds on Sunday and Tuesday – her 12 birdies were third in the field. 

Altese logged a team-best four birdies in the opening round en route to her +11 finish. She carded a 73 in round one and rounded it out with a 74 in round three. 

Junior golfer Saini shot up the rankings to move into the tie with Quiroga and Altese after a strong score of 73 on Tuesday. She recorded three birdies on the front nine in round three. 

Senior Laura Fangmeyer rounded out the lineup in 94th place. 

The Trojans recorded a total of 33 birdies as a team in the opener, a sign of their scoring potential. With Ringblom leading the squad and Altese, Saini and Quiroga right behind, the Trojans have a strong mix of veteran and young talent. 

As the season continues, Troy looks to climb the leaderboard. The Trojans will head to their next outing in Paducah, Kentucky, at Murray State’s Velvet Classic on Sep. 15.