By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech women's golf head coach Amanda Smith announced the addition of two players for the 2022-23 athletic season, signing Sydney Branson and Kaydi Rhodes to national letters of intent to play for the Golden Eagles.
SYDNEY BRANSON
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
High School: Bearden High School
Branson was a three-time letterwinner for head coach Tyler Lane at Bearden High School in Knoxville, developing at a staggering pace throughout her prep career. Having never played the game of golf prior to her freshman campaign, the two-time team captain in 2020 and 2021 went from shooting in the 130s to firing off scores in the low 70s and high 60s in just three years.
All the hard work culminated in strong senior season, one where Branson led BHS to a District 4-AA title. She won the individual title at the District 4-AA Tournament and earned an individual bid to the TSSAA Class AA State Championships.
On her way to Knoxville News Sentinel All-PrepXtra First Team honors, the BHS product tied for 12th at the TSSAA Class AA State Championships, shooting 18-over for the tournament. Branson concluded her high school career with a 4-over 74 at the event, becoming the lowest finisher for BHS at the state tournament since 2010 and earning team MVP honors.
Over the summer, Branson captured the 2021 5Star Preps Masters at Tennessee National, firing a final round of 74 to finish 3-over 147 for the event.
COACH SMITH'S TAKE
"Sydney has a really impressive resume for starting the game a little later than most. Her charisma and want to practice hard attests to that fact. We are excited to welcome her in."
KAYDI RHODES
Hometown: Jackson, Mo.
High School: Jackson Senior High School
Rhodes lettered four years for head coach Jim Brady at Jackson Senior High School in Jackson, Mo. During her career, she led JSHS to district titles in 2019, 2020, 2021, as well as a third place showing at the Missouri Class 4 State Championships in 2021 and at the Missouri Class 2 State Championships in 2019.
Accomplished as an individual, she collected medalist honors in five of her seven matches as a senior, compiling a scoring average of 73.75. As a junior, she also won five of her seven events, putting forth a nine-hole scoring average of 36.5. Between her freshman and sophomore campaigns, she collected medalist honors in six of her 10 matches.
For her efforts, Rhodes earned Southeast Missourian Female Golfer of the Year honors as a sophomore, claiming an individual district title and All-State honors. She was the district runner-up in both 2020 and 2021 and collected another All-State honor as a senior after placing fifth at the Class 4 State Championships.
She was a member of Team Missouri as part of the 51st and 53rd Junior Girls' Four-State Championship in 2019 and 2021. Rhodes also tied for first at the Missouri Jr. Amateur and participated in the 2019 and 2021 Southern Jr. Cup.
COACH SMITH'S TAKE
"Kaydi has such a great, competitive attitude. It's fun to watch and I know she'll be a key player coming in. We are excited to welcome her to the Tennessee Tech golf family."