Benton, Gorlei Earn Academic Honors

July 5, 2017

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas rising juniors Kaylee Benton and Cara Gorlei earned selection to the Women’s Collegiate Golf All-American Scholars team the organization announced today.

Nominees must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher for their academic career. Benton and Gorlei are the 11th and 12th student-athletes honored for the Razorbacks and represent the 24th and 25th selections for Arkansas since 1997.

“I could not be more proud of Cara and Kaylee for becoming WGCA All-American Scholars and for their commitment to excellence on the golf course and in the classroom,” said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. “These young women go above and beyond what they are required to do each and every day and this is a great reward for their hard work. They both have made tremendous contributions to our golf program and they are great examples of winning in all facets of collegiate athletics.”

Gorlei joined the Razorbacks as a freshman for the 2014-15 season and her continued improvement earned the Capetown, South Africa native, a trip to the NCAA Championship as an individual in 2017. Gorlei finished tied for seventh at the NCAA Columbus Regional punching her ticket for the finals.

She finished the year shooting 74.06 with 31 college rounds played as a junior.

Benton transferred to Arkansas from UNLV and immediately contributed to the Razorback program. Originally from the Natural State, Benton played in every event in her first season at Arkansas picking up three top-10 finishes. She and Gorlei have earned selection to the Arkansas Athletics Department academic honor roll in every semester.

Other Razorbacks who have been selected to the WCGA All-Scholar team include MacKenzie Cato (1997), Jennifer Norlien (2004), Gena Johnson (2005), Stacy Lewis (205, 2006, 2007, 2008), Tiffany Phelps (2010), Corinna Rees (2007, 2010, 2011), Victoria Vela (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Emily Tubert (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Emily Podzielinski (2012), and Gabriela Lopez (2013, 2014, 2015).