Roachell joins Razorback women’s golf team

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas head women’s golf coach Shauna Estes-Taylor announced the signing of Conway’s Summar Roachell to a National Letter of Intent Wednesday.

Roachell, a senior at Conway (Arkansas) High, fills the only open scholarship for the Razorbacks this season.

“I am so excited to announce the addition of Summar to our Razorback family,” Estes-Taylor said. “Summar came to my junior girls’ golf camp many years ago, and I knew then she had to become a member of our team when she became old enough. She reminds me a lot of the way I played the game and it's exciting to watch her compete.

“Summar possesses a competitive edge that you just can't teach,” Estes-Taylor continued. “She wants to be the one making a putt to win and she thrives under those conditions. She has an outstanding short game and is a complete player.”

Recruited by several universities, Roachell had this to say about why she selected the Razorbacks.

“I attended golf camp at Arkansas when I was 10, and I loved the campus and the program,” Roachell said. “After visiting several other schools, I just knew that choosing Arkansas was the right decision for me.”

Roachell’s amateur and prep accolades are many but one of the highlights was her selection to the U.S. Junior Solheim Cup Team.  The 12-member team represented the United State against Europe in Ireland last year.  Roachell is also a four-time Class 7A State Champion, four-time all-state and all-conference selection, a two-time Rolex Junior All-American (2011, 2012) and she is the youngest player to win the state match play for juniors.  Roachell paced the Wampus Cats to four conference titles and four state runner-up finishes in high school.

Roachell’s 2012 amateur career includes four top five finishes in seven events.  She won the Bubba Conlee National Junior in Bartlett, Tenn., shooting a 212 with rounds of 71-70-71.  Roachell placed second at the AJGA Under Armour/Hunter Mahan Championship and was third at the AJGA Stacy Lewis Junior Open.  Roachell placed fifth at the AJGA Under Armour/Vicky Hurst Championship as well.

Roachell is the only child of Bill and Lisa Roachell of Conway, Ark.

“Mike (Adams, assistant coach) and I were determined to keep this young lady as a Razorback,” Estes-Taylor said. “She is passionate about the University of Arkansas and we are excited to help her grow her game even more. Summar gives us great depth and I'm looking forward to what she will contribute to our team both on and off the golf course. “