Tulane's Walshe Earns All-America Honors

Alison Walshe

Tulane's Alison Walshe earned the highest honor ever accorded a Green Wave women's golfer when she was named to the National Golf Coaches Association All-America team following the conclusion of the NCAA Championships in Sunriver, Oregon.

Walshe, who picked up second team honors from the NGCA, joins Pam Buff as the only All-Americans in Tulane women's golf history. Buff was an honorable mention selection by the organization in 1999.

A sophomore from Westford, Mass. who transferred to Tulane from Boston College at the start of the 2004-05 school year, Walshe posted the best season in Tulane women's golf history. She shattered the school record for scoring average by compiling a 73.61 mark in 11 tournaments and 33 rounds. She was ranked as high as 12th in the nation during the season and finished fourth in the NCAA East Regional to lead the Wave to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Championships.

"Even without this honor, she had the greatest season in the history of Tulane Golf," said Green Wave head coach Sue Bower, who just completed her 13th season at the school. "I've had wonderful players in the past, but she smashed all the records. She came in and took college golf by storm. There's no question she felt comfortable in this arena and she is more than deserving of this honor."

Walshe was also named the Conference USA Player of the Year after claiming medalist honors at the C-USA Championship while leading Tulane to the team crown, and she was the Louisiana Player of the Year. She compiled six Top 5 finishes, capped by the C-USA title and a fourth-place showing at the NCAA East Regional, where she shot 70-73-69 to lead Tulane. Walshe also finished second at the Mercedes Benz Collegiate Championship and third at the LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic during the year.

"Obviously what she did at conference and regionals are what sealed the deal for the [All-America] committee," Bower said. "The great thing about Alison is she doesn't change, she's a very cool customer and that's why she's had success, she doesn't get ahead of herself. She has set big goals for herself for this summer and for next year at Tulane."

Walshe and the Green Wave ended the season with a 15th-place showing at the NCAA Championships after winning their second consecutive C-USA crown.