“Rory will bring a lot of enthusiasm and competitiveness to the program,” said the golf director Justin Fetcho said. “She’s a very accomplished player herself and has had the opportunity to compete in the NCAA postseason multiple times, so she knows what it takes to succeed at a high level.”
Weinfurther is a native of Gallatin, Tennessee, and a graduate of Richmond University, where she spent the last four years as one of the best players in school history. She ranks second in career scoring average (74.89), is a three-time First Team All-Conference and two-time All-State selection. She was a key part of the 2023 Patriot League Championship team and was the 2021 Patriot League Individual Champion. She also earned 12 top-10 finishes and 22 top-20 finishes in her career.
Fetcho’s teams have created a successful environment that Weinfurther wants to replicate for himself.
“It’s really inspiring and a goal we can strive for. Setting our goals and having a little competition with the men’s team to see who can win the most championships is always fun,” she said. “I think it’s also good motivation for the girls just to see how our men’s team has done that. We can do that too.”
Fetcho has full confidence in Weinfurther’s abilities and sees this as a big step for the program.
“I know she will place a high value on player development and being able to empathize with the student-athletes based on her previous experiences will be extremely helpful for her,” Fetcho said. “This is a great day for Saluki Golf and we are excited to have Rory lead our women’s golf program.”
The Southern Illinois women’s golf team will tee off at the Green Wave Invite hosted by Tulane University on Monday, September 9.
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For the latest information on Southern Illinois Women’s Golf, follow the team on X (@SIU_WGolf), Instagram (@SIU_WGolf) and like the team’s official Facebook page (Saluki Women’s Golf).
