Illini women’s golfer Crystal Wang named WGCA All-American

The WGCA names Crystal Wang an All-American.

The Illinois Fighting Illini women’s golf program has not seen a golfer this good in a long time. Crystal Wang is the most decorated golfer since player turned coach Renee Slone. Last Friday, Wang became the first All-American women’s golfer since Slone earned the honor 30 years ago in 1993. The honor was much deserved as she had one of the greatest seasons in Illini and Big Ten women’s golf history. Wang joins her coach as a Big Ten medallist. She posted a final round 62 (-9), winning the individual Big Ten Championship and leading her team to a Big Ten Title.

The Diamond Bar, California native, won the Mary Fossum Award, posting the lowest stroke average relative to par (1.45). She was named All-Big Ten for the second consecutive year and the third time in her career. Wang was Big Ten Golfer of the Year. The first time the honor had gone to a Lady Illini golfer since Slone’s historic season. The recently graduated senior finished in the top ten in eight tournaments, including six top-five finishes.

Wang capped her Illini career with a record-shattering final year. She set a single-season record for scoring average (70.42), breaking the previous mark set by Grace Park (72.16). Wang shot par or better in 25 of 36 rounds. She set the program record for the lowest career stroke average.

About the WGCA

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA), formerly known as the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA), began in 1983 as an organization to promote participation in women’s collegiate golf. The vision of the WGCA since its inception has been to encourage the playing of intercollegiate golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition.