LADY RAIDERS’ FIRST INTERNATIONAL GOLFER FINISHES FRESHMAN SEASON

The Roane State women's golf team welcomed its first international player this past season – Freshman Georgia Cater from London, England.

Cater finished her first season with the Lady Raiders as one of three players to earn Top 5 All-Region Honors. The team also won their first regional title and traveled to the Southeast District Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida, in April.

Cater said her passion for golf developed at an early age and she dedicated countless hours to honing her skills on the courses in London. Her talent caught the attention of Lady Raiders Head Coach Bo Harris through the help of a player liaison for Study and Play America, which places international student-athletes with collegiate programs across the United States.

"Georgia's swing, strategic approach, and composure under pressure have made her a competitive asset," Coach Harris said. "Beyond her golfing abilities, she brings a unique perspective and cultural understanding to the team. Since arriving at Roane State, Georgia has been welcomed by her teammates and they quickly established a close-knit bond."

In an interview this past spring about her experiences as an international student-athlete, Cater explained how her fellow Lady Raiders contributed to her success and made her feel at home.

"My coach and my team have helped me grow as an athlete. Over here, you play as a team to be able to get further in the games," she said. "We won two tournaments in the last two games we played. We wouldn't be here if we didn't work well as a team."

Cater also described a special moment this past season when her coach and teammates helped coordinate a surprise from her parents who traveled from England to visit her.

"It had been four to five months since I'd last seen my family, so it was actually long overdue," Cater said. "I had no idea they were coming, and it was a massive surprise, the greatest surprise I've probably had. Everyone was crying, there was not a dry eye in the room."

This summer, Cater and one of her Lady Raider teammates were also able to travel to London together.

Cater will be back with the Lady Raiders this fall in her sophomore season. The team begins their tournament schedule in Richmond, Indiana, for the Indiana University East Invitational to be held August 30-31, 2024.

For more information on the Lady Raiders Golf team, visit roanestate.edu/womensgolf.