Kate Smith Season 2019-20

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Honors & Awards

• Golfweek All-American (Third Team, 2021)
• WGCA All-American (Honorable Mention, 2021)
• Big Ten Champion (2021)
• Big Ten All-Championship Team (2021)
• U.S. Palmer Cup Team Member (2021)
• Augusta National Women's Amateur Competitor (2021)
• U.S. Women's Amateur Championship Competitor (Top 16 Stroke Play, Round of 32 Match Play)
• Big Ten Mary Fossum Award (2020)
• First-Team All-Big Ten (2020, 2021)
• 21 Career Top-10 Finishes (5, 2020-21)
• 30 Career Top-25 Finishes (6, 2020-21)
• School-Record Career Stroke Average (73.35, 125 Rounds)
• School-Record Season Stroke Average (72.18, 2020)
• School-Record 54-Hole Score (202, 2018 Westbrook)
• School-Record 36-Hole Score (131, 2018 Westbrook; 2020 Westbrook)
• School-Record 18-Hole Score (64, 2018 Westbrook, 2nd; 2021 Big Ten Championship)
• T36th at NCAA Columbus Regional (2021)
• T37th at NCAA Columbus Regional (2017)
• T19th at Big Ten Championship (2018)
• 47th at Big Ten Championship (2017)
• T51st at Big Ten Championship (2019)
• Five-Time Big Ten Golfer of the Week
  (March 17, 2021; Feb. 3, 2021; Oct. 11, 2017; Sept. 6, 2017; Oct. 12, 2016)
• WGCA Scholastic All-American (2020, 2021)
• CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 At-Large (2021)
• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2020, 2021)
• Academic All-Big Ten (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; Spring 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (2020)
• Nebraska Heart & Soul Award (2021)
• Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award (2020)
• Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• Minnesota Golf Association Women's Co-Player of the Year (2020)
• Minnesota Golf Association Women's Amateur Champion (2017, 2020)
• Five-Time Minnesota Class 2A Champion (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
• Minnesota Ms. Golf Award (2016)
• Six-Time Minnesota Class 2A All-Star (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
• Minnesota Junior Player of the Year (2012-13)
• Minnesota Junior Champion (2013)
• PGA Junior Series Champion (ArborLinks, 2015)

Best Career Finish: 1st (Big Ten Championship, 2021); 1st (Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate, 2021) 
Career Stroke Average: 73.35

Fifth-Year Senior (2020-21)
Kate Smith capped one of the best careers in Nebraska golf history by leading the Huskers to their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2008. She stormed to the Big Ten Conference individual championship in Maineville, Ohio (April 23-25) becoming NU's first-ever Big Ten women's golf champion by tying her own school record with a 64 (-8) in the final round on the 6,300-yard, par-72 layout at TPC River's Bend. She started the final day in a tie for eighth, four shots behind the leader, but charged to a three-stroke win at 207 (72-71-64) with a final round that included eight birdies and 10 pars.

Smith, who earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Championship Team, became the first Nebraska women's golfer since 2003 (Sarah Sasse, Big 12) to win a conference title. Smith powered the Huskers to a tie for second at the Big Ten Championship. It marked Nebraska's best conference team finish since 1984 (Big Eight). 

She added WGCA All-America honors at the close of the season, becoming just the third Husker in history to earn the award. Smith, who captured honorable-mention accolades from the WGCA, joined Sasse (first team, 2003) and Joanne Brooks (honorable mention, 1992) as the only All-Americans in school history. Smith added a third-team All-America award from Golfweek.

Smith finished in the top 25 in all six of Nebraska's regular-season tournaments before leading the Huskers with her tie for 36th (78-74-74-226) at the 18-team NCAA Columbus Regional (May 10-12). She closed her Nebraska career with 30 top-25 finishes, including 21 top-10 performances. 

She captured her first collegiate individual title at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate (March 14-16). Smith brought home the individual trophy by finishing with a three-round total of 215 (-1) that included a final-round 70 (-2). Smith claimed the title with a one-stroke win over Tulane's Carlota Palacios, and Smith's performance helped the Huskers capture the team championship at the 13-team event at the English Turn Golf and Country Club in New Orleans.

Smith's win in New Orleans also allowed her to claim her second Big Ten Golfer of the Week award of her senior season on March 17. It joined the weekly conference honor she won after tying for third at the season-opening Trinity Forest Invitational in Dallas (Feb. 1-2). She added a top-10 tournament finish by tying for eighth with a 217 (+1) at the Indiana Spring Invitational (April 17-18). 

Smith opened her fifth competitive season at Nebraska with outstanding summer and fall seasons playing as an individual. During the summer of 2020, Smith won the Minnesota Golf Association Women's Amateur Championship for the second time, before qualifying for the 120th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship in Rockville, Md. Smith finished 15th in the stroke play portion of the U.S. Women's Amateur and advanced to the round of 32 in the match play event. She went on to be named the MGA Women's Co-Player of the Year for 2020.

After a series of solid performances in the fall, Smith earned an invitation to compete in the second annual Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship (March 31-April 3). She was among an elite list of 82 of the top amateurs in the world to receive a coveted invite to the event when they were sent in late January. Smith gained national attention by leading the tournament through her first 11 holes. She just missed the cut on a playoff hole that would have placed her among the top 30 competitors for the final round at Augusta National.

In May, Smith earned an invitation to compete for the United States at the 2021 Arnold Palmer Cup. Smith was one of just 12 female collegians selected to represent the United States playing alongside the top 12 U.S. men's collegiate golfers against 24 international men's and women's collegiate players in the Ryder Cup-style event held at Rich Harvest Farms outside of Chicago, June 11-13.

No team competitions were permitted by the Big Ten Conference during the fall campaign as a precautionary measure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith opened Nebraska's spring season with a tie for third in a talent-laden field at the SMU Trinity Forest Invitational in Dallas (Feb. 1-2). Smith used a final-round 68 that included five birdies and an eagle to charge 15 spots up the leader board over the last 18 holes. She finished with a three-round total of 219 (75-76-68). 

Smith notched her second straight top-10 finish to open the spring by taking sixth in a talent-rich field at the Bruin Wave Invitational in Somis, Calif. (March 1-3). In extremely challenging scoring conditions, Smith closed with a 227. She added another strong finish with a final-round 69 to close at 219 and tie for 21st at the Arizona Wildcat Invitational in Tucson (March 8-9).

She finished her career with the best stroke average in school history (73.35) over 125 rounds. She led Nebraska with a 72.86 stroke average in 2021, the second-best stroke average in school history trailing only 72.18 in 2019-20. Overall, she produced five of the top six single-season individual stroke averages in Husker history during her career.

Smith earned her bachelor's degree as a graphic design major at Nebraska in May of 2021. She was recognized with Nebraska's top Life Skills honor - the Heart & Soul Award - for her extensive commitment to community service and leadership.

Senior (2019-20)
One of the top golfers in Nebraska history, Smith became Nebraska's first Big Ten Mary Fossum Award winner for owning the best stroke average relative to par among all conference golfers during the 2019-20 season. She also became the first Husker to capture first-team All-Big Ten honors since Maddie Sheils earned the award in Nebraska's first season in the conference in 2012. Smith was on track to earn an NCAA Regional bid as an individual for the Huskers in 2020. However, the coronavirus outbreak brought the 2019-20 winter and spring seasons to an end. The NCAA granted seniors an additional year of eligibility.

Smith set the school single-season record for the third straight year with her 72.18 average in 2019-20. She played in all 17 rounds in 2019-20.

In her final event of the 2020 collegiate season, Smith tied for second at the Westbrook Spring Invitational. She fired the second-best tournament total of her career (65-66-72-203). Her two-round total of 131 on the opening day of the event tied her own 36-hole school record set at Westbrook in 2018. Smith finished behind only Denver's Anna Zanusso at Westbrook, who tied the NCAA record with a second-round 61.

Smith opened the spring season with a tie for 31st (76-73-74-223) at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic. She produced one of the best tournament finishes of her career with a tie for second at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational in Sammamish, Wash. (Oct. 8-9). In extremely challenging scoring conditions in the rain-shortened event at the Sahalee Country Club, Smith fired a second-round 71 (-1) after an opening-round 77 to close at 148. 

Smith opened the fall season with an impressive three-round total of 213 (71-72-70) to tie for eighth at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. (Sept. 9-10). She added a tie for 29th with a 220 (70-78-72) at the Golfweek Conference Challenge (Sept. 23-25). Smith closed the fall with a tie for 25th at 220 (72-74-74) in the Battle at the Beach in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico (Nov. 1-3). It was the 23rd top-25 tournament finish of Smith's career.

Smith has fired 30 rounds better than par in her Husker career, including six during the 2019-20 season.

Junior (2018-19)    
Smith set Nebraska’s then-season stroke average record with her 73.52 average over 27 rounds.

She produced one of the best tournament performances of her career with a season-best 208 (70-68-70) to tie for second individually while leading Nebraska to the Westbrook Spring Invitational title in Peoria, Ariz. (Feb. 24-25). Her second-round 68 (-4) tied her season best and was part of a season-best round of 276 for the Huskers. It was her fourth top-10 finish of the year and 13th of her career. Nebraska’s tournament title was its first since winning the Mountain View Collegiate in 2014 and came against a field of 14 top-100 teams.

Smith fired a 210 (71-68-71) at the UNLV Collegiate Showdown (Oct. 21-23). Her performance at the Boulder Creek Golf Club included a season-best, four-under-par 68 in the second round on her way to eighth place.

She closed the fall with her fourth consecutive round better than par with a 71 in the only round of the rain-shortened Rainbow Wahine Invitational in Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii (Oct. 31). She tied for sixth in Hawaii. 

Smith opened her junior season with an even-par, three-round total of 216 (73-73-70) to tie for sixth at the Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. (Sept. 17-19). She added a 230 (76-81-73) to tie for 54th at the Golfweek Conference Challenge in Wolcott, Colo. (Sept. 24-26). She was NU’s top finisher at the Ron Moore Intercollegiate in Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Oct. 5-7), closing at 225 (74-79-76) in a tie for 33rd.

Smith took 12th with a 223 (74-74-75) at the Lady Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio (April 13-14) - her 20th career top-25 finish. She also tied for 16th with a 224 (73-73-74) at the Clover Cup in Mesa, Ariz. (March 15-17).     

Smith opened the spring by tying for 45th with a 226 (74-78-74)  at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic (Feb. 10-12). She closed her season by tying for 51st (79-73-152) at the Big Ten Championship at TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio.

Sophomore (2017-18)    
Smith produced the best individual scores in school history with a second-round 64 on her way to a 202 (67-64-71) at the Westbrook Spring Invitational in Peoria, Ariz. (Feb. 25-26). She finished third in a loaded field at Westbrook.

She continued to play at a high level at the Clover Cup in Mesa, Ariz. (March 16-18), tying for ninth at 219 (73-74-72) to produce her fifth top-10 performance of the season. Smith added a tie for 13th with a 221 (72-76-73) in a talented field at the Mountain View Invitational in Tucson, Ariz. (March 23-25).

Smith capped 2017-18 by tying for 19th with a 2018 (75-68-75) to lead Nebraska at the Big Ten Championship in Maineville, Ohio (April 20-22). She finished with a then-school-record 73.66 stroke average on the year.

Smith started her sophomore season strong with a runner-up finish at the UNO Invitational at ArborLinks (Sept. 1-2). She fired a 221 (76-70-75) to post the best tournament finish of her career. She also was named the Big Ten Golfer of the Week for the second time in her career.

Smith added her second Big Ten Golfer-of-the-Week honor of the season and third of her career with a then-career-best 212 (69-72-71) to tie for seventh at the Pinehurst Challenge in North Carolina (Oct. 9-10).

She added a third top-10 finish by taking ninth at Nebraska’s Chip-N Club Invitational at Wilderness Ridge Golf Course (Oct. 1-3). Smith closed with a 230 (77-77-76) in challenging scoring conditions to help the Huskers to a runner-up finish.

Smith settled for a tie for 34th (73-80-153) in the stroke play portion of the East & West Match Play Challenge in Madison, Wis. (Sept. 17). She closed the fall as Nebraska’s No. 2 finisher at the UNLV Collegiate Showdown. She managed a three-round score of 224 (78-71-75) to tie for 49th in Las Vegas.

Through 14 fall rounds, Smith posted a 74.29 stroke average. She opened the spring as Nebraska’s No. 2 finisher at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic. She managed a 236 over three rounds to tie for 43rd.

Freshman (2016-17)    
Smith opened her Nebraska career in the top of the lineup and played out of the top two spots in every tournament in 2016-17. She produced seven top-25 finishes in 11 tournaments, including four top-10 showings. 

She capped her freshman season by tying for 37th in a 96-player field at the NCAA Columbus Regional (May 8-10). Smith shot 230 (78-79-73) at the Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio, as the first Husker women’s golfer to compete in NCAA Regional play since current LPGA pro Madeleine Sheils in 2012.

Smith closed her first season at Nebraska with a then-school-record 73.90 stroke average over 31 rounds. She carded a 78 or better in 29 of 31 rounds as a freshman, including nine rounds better than par.

Smith produced a season-best three-round score with a 214 (68-75-71) to tie for eighth at the Clover Cup in Mesa, Ariz. (March 17-19). Her opening-round 68 was a season best.

She closed the regular season with a tie for 28th (78-75-72-225) at the Hawkeye El Tigre in Mexico (April 2-4), before producing Nebraska’s top finish at the Big Ten Championships at TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio (April 21-23). She led the Huskers with a 47th-place finish (74-84-76-234).

Smith earned her best tournament finish of the season by tying for seventh with a three-round total of 215 (73-72-70) at the Ron Moore Intercollegiate in Highlands Ranch, Colo., (Oct. 7-9). Her efforts in Colorado earned her the first Big Ten Golfer-of-the-Week award of her career on Oct. 12, 2016.

Her performance in Highlands Ranch followed a tie for eighth with a 221 (77-70-74) at Nebraska’s Chip-N Club Invitational (Sept. 25-27). She also tied for eighth (76-70-146) in the stroke play portion at the East & West Match Play Challenge in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Sept. 18-20).

She opened her collegiate career by shooting a team-low 221 (69-74-78) to tie for 15th at the Ptarmigan Ram Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. (Sept. 12-13).

Smith closed the fall with a tie for 21st with a three-under-par two-round total of 141 (70-71) at the rain-shortened UNLV Collegiate Showdown (Oct. 23-25).

She opened the spring campaign with a three-round total of 223 (71-75-77) to tie for 14th at the Central District Invitational in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (Feb. 20-21). Smith added a tie for 31st with a 221 (75-73-73) at the Westbrook Spring Invitational in Peoria, Ariz. (Feb. 26-27).

Smith’s 73.90 stroke average smashed Haley Thiele’s Nebraska freshman-record 75.63 stroke average set in 2015-16 by a whopping 1.73 strokes per round. Smith’s average surpassed Nebraska’s previous season record of 74.00 set by Natalie Gleadall in 2009-10.

Following her freshman season, Smith won the Minnesota Golf Association Women's Amateur Championship at the Northland Country Club.

High School/Amateur    
A five-time Minnesota Class 2A state champion (2012-16) and a six-time Class 2A all-state selection (2011-16), Smith  was the Minnesota Ms. Golf Award winner in 2016. She posted a 70.37 stroke average as a junior in 2015, and set three course records as a senior, including a 64 on The Vintage Course.

In addition to her high school success, Smith was the 2012-13 Minnesota PGA Junior Player of the Year and the 2013 Minnesota Girls State Junior Champion. In the summer of 2015, she won the PGA Junior Series title at ArborLinks with a three-day career-best score of 209 (74-68-67.

Smith was also a member of Team Minnesota at the 2015 USGA women’s state championship.

Smith continues Nebraska women’s golf’s success in recruiting the state of Minnesota, following former Huskers Cassie Deeg (Hugo, 2013-16), Steffi Neisen (New Prague, 2011-14), Chrissie McArdle (Eden Prairie, 2004-07) and Jackie Beste (Sauk Centre, 2003-06). All were high-level performers for the Huskers on and off the course over the last 15 years.

Personal    
The daughter of Kris and Margery Smith, Kate was born May 6, 1999, in Hartford, Conn. She has an older brother, Karter. A graphic design major, Kate earned her bachelor's degree from Nebraska in May of 2021. She captured WGCA Scholastic All-America honors and was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2020 and 2021. She was also a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and a 10-time member of the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. Smith was also a leader for the Huskers in the community in 2020, earning a prestigious Heart & Soul Award in 2021, after claiming a Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award in 2020. She was also Nebraska's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner in 2020. She was a five-time Tom Osborne Citizenship Team selection.

“I chose Nebraska because of how they care about their student-athletes, the welcoming atmosphere on campus and the overall tradition surrounding the University.”

Smith's Career Statistics

Year	Rounds	Strokes	Avg.	Low 18	Low 54
2016-17	31	2,291	73.90	68	214
2017-18	29	2,136	73.66	64	202
2018-19	27	1,985	73.52	68	208
2019-20	17	1,227	72.18	65	203
2020-21	21	1,530	72.86	64	207
Totals	125	9,169	73.35	64	202