by As golfers prepare for the start of regional play beginning this weekend, May 5-7, the 2015-16 All-Big 12 Women’s Golf Team has been announced.
The team is chosen by using the 10 highest-ranked players in the Golfstat national rankings released after the Big 12 Women’s Golf Championship. Of those 10 players, the highest-ranked competitor is named the Big 12 Player of the Year, while the highest-ranked freshman receives Freshman of the Year honors.
Texas Tech’s Gabby Barker (Shoshone/Paiute) is the Big 12 Player of the Year thanks to her No. 18 national ranking. The sophomore from Caldwell, Idaho currently boasts a 72.09 adjusted scoring average, as well as a 13-7 record versus top 50 ranked golfers. Barker has twice been named the Big 12 Female Golfer of the Month in 2015-2016.
Freshman of the Year honors go to Oklahoma State’s Chih-Min Chen, who currently sits No. 52 in the Golfstat national rankings with an adjusted scoring average of 73.16. Chen shot +3 in the Big 12 Championship en route to helping the Cowgirls to a Big 12 title and a tie for 12th place individually.
Oklahoma State Head Coach Courtney Jones earned Big 12 Coach of the Year honors after producing both a team and individual Big 12 Championship. In her three years at the helm in Stillwater, Jones has helped the Cowgirls to a Big 12 Team Championship, two Big 12 Individual Championships and has had a golfer named Big 12 Golfer of the Year one time.
Joining Barker and Chen on the All-Big 12 Team are: Yupaporn Kawinpakorn (Kansas), Laura Lonardi (Baylor), Maddie McCrary (Oklahoma State), Linnea Johansson (Oklahoma State), Sophia Schubert (Texas), Kenzie Neisen (Oklahoma State), Chayanit Wangmahaporn (Iowa State) and Celia Barquin (Iowa State).
Kawinpakorn previously earned All-Big 12 honors in 2014, and McCrary, Neisen, Johansson and Barquin were all named to the 2015 team. Neisen is the two-time defending Big 12 Champion.
All-Big 12 Team
Gabby Barker, Texas Tech, So.
Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, Kansas, Sr.
Laura Lonardi, Baylor, Sr.
Maddie McCrary, Oklahoma State, So.
Linnea Johansson, Oklahoma State, Jr.
Sophia Schubert, Texas, So.
Chih-Min Chen, Oklahoma State, Fr.
Kenzie Neisen, Oklahoma State, So.
Chayanit Wangmahaporn, Iowa State, Fr.
Celia Barquin, Iowa State, So.
Player of the Year
Gabby Barker, Texas Tech, So.
Freshman of the Year
Chih-Min Chen, Oklahoma State
Coach of the Year
Courtney Jones, Oklahoma State
