Women's Golf Travels to Moon Golf Invite for Season Opener

CHAPEL HILL – Nearly one year later, the North Carolina women's golf team begins its 2021 season at the fourth annual Moon Golf Invitational, hosted by Louisville, Sunday through Tuesday at the Duran Golf Club's 6,383-yard, par-72 course in Melbourne, Fla.

"I'm really excited to have the team compete again after 11 months," head coach Jan Mann said. "I feel great about their preparedness for the 2021 season. Our team has really put in the time, effort and preparation to get back on the course competing."

With a shotgun start at 8 a.m. each day of the Moon Golf Invite, the Tar Heels starting five includes freshman Natalia Aseguinolaza, freshman Nicole Adam, junior Jennifer Zhou, sophomore Kayla Smith and sophomore Krista Junkkari. Fans can follow live results on GolfStat.com.

"Duran is a great course for us to start our spring," Mann said. "It's a pretty open, straight-forward course. Our team has good length and is playing right about 6,400 yards so I think that'll be to our advantage. The wind is always a factor in Melbourne, but thankfully for us, we've been playing in some pretty significant winds the past couple weeks. Not only has it been windy, it's been cold. I feel like we'll be prepared."

Carolina is one of 18 teams competing at Duran, including ACC opponents, Florida State, Miami, Virginia and host, Louisville. The Tar Heels finished fourth at the 2020 event while both Smith and Zhou both earned top-25 finishes in Melbourne, Florida.

"I'm very happy and excited for the team to tee it up again," Mann said. "Golf has been one of the safest sports in regards to the pandemic. When we're out there competing, it's a no contact sport. The precautions that are being taken not only now, but throughout the fall and winter, have made golf safe to compete."

Up next, Carolina travels to the College of Charleston's Palmetto Spring Invitational Feb. 21-22 in Charleston, S.C.

Stay up to date with Carolina Women's Golf by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.

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Players Mentioned

Nicole Adam

Natalia Aseguinolaza

Krista Junkkari

Kayla Smith

Jennifer Zhou