Nov. 13, 2011
WACO, Texas - Headlined by 2011 British Ladies Amateur Golf champion Lauren Taylor, three European women's golfers signed National Letters of Intent for 2012-13, Baylor head coach Jay Goble announced Sunday.
"I am confident that the future of the Baylor women's golf program is very bright with the signing of these three talented golfers," Goble said. "The exciting thing for us is that all three bring a wealth of experience competing on an international level against some of the best junior golfers in the world."
Taylor, a native of Rugby, England, is the youngest golfer to ever win the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship and earned a sponsor's exemption to play in the RICOH British Ladies Open. The 2011 British College Open and Order of Merit winner, Taylor also won the Dutch Junior U23 Open, the U18 title at the 2010 Scottish Ladies Open and was a wild card for the Dutch Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour.
She represented England at the 2011 European Girls Championships, winning a silver medal and was undefeated as a member of England's Ladies Home International team in 2009. She qualified for the 2011 Allianz Ladies Slovak Open and became the first female to win the Ian Poulter Invitational. She is currently ranked No. 28 in the world in the Ladies Amateur Rankings and is from Woburn Golf Club, the home club of PGA Tour golfer Ian Poulter.
"Lauren Taylor is one of the most confident players I've ever seen on a golf course," Goble said. "Her overall belief in her game, and swagger, lead me to believe that she will one day compete at the game's top level.
"Her invaluable tournament experience, including a win at one of the world's largest amateur competitions, will be a huge asset to our program," Goble said. "She knows what it's like to compete against, and beat, the world's top players."
Ashley Cramond, a native of Warwickshire, England, currently lives in Castle Hill, New South Wales, in Australia. She finished third at the 2009 Scottish Girls U16 Championship, which was won by Baylor freshman golfer Hayley Davis and finished second at the 2010 event. She won the inaugural EWGA Midlands South Regional Championship in 2009, while winning the 2011 Srixon International and being a member of the 2011 New South Wales State Championship winning foursome.
She is currently the No. 1 player on her club team, which plays in the NSW State first/elite division and finished second in 2011. While in England, she was a member of the English Girls U18 Elite Squad in 2009 and 2010 and was runner-up at the 2010 English Girls U16 Championship.
"Ashley Cramond defines what it means to be an international golfer, having successfully played competitive golf all over the world," Goble said. "I see Ashley's competitiveness and strong will to win being a driving force to help our team vie for championships in the future."
Annette Lyche, who hails from Baerum, Norway, is ranked No. 2 on the Titleist Tour Order of Merit in Norway and was a member of the Norwegian team that finished 11th at the 2011 European Girls Team Championship. She also tied for 16th at the 2011 British Girls Open Championship. She competed at the French Ladies' Junior Championship and the French U21 Open.
"I am very excited to have Annette join our team," Goble said. "I know that she had some very good teams after her and she chose Baylor! She is the second-ranked junior golfer in Norway and she'll contribute greatly to our future successes."
After one of the most successful fall seasons in program history, the Baylor women's golf team opens spring competition Feb. 12-14 at the UCF Challenge in Sorrento, Fla.
WOMEN'S GOLF SIGNING CLASS OF 2011
Lauren Taylor (Rugby, England)
Ashley Cramond (Warwickshire, England/Castle Hill, New South Wales)
Annette Lyche (Baerum, Norway)
