University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Women's Golf Signs Two in Early Signing Period
11/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss women's golf coach Julie Gallup announced the signings of Miranda Holt (Pensacola, Fla.) and Valentina Haupt (Weston, Fla.) to national letters-of-intent for the 2015-16 season, Thursday morning.
Holt was named the 2012 and 2012 Florida 3A District High School champion at J.M. Tate High School. She also earned the 2013 Florida 3A Regional Championship and finished in seventh at the Florida State High School championship.
She is a two-time champion of the FCA High School Tournament. She earned two top 10 finished on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tour and 20 top 10 finishes on the Southeast Junior Golf Tour (SJGT). She earned medalist honors at the 2013 Bubba Watson Divot Derby Junior Golf Tournament and is a four-time winner of the FCA Take it the Distance Award.
Holt is the daughter of Gary Holt, who was a defensive back for Southern Miss from 1977-80, and Barbara Holt, who graduated from Southern Miss in 1980. Her sister, Samantha, was an All-Conference member of the Southern Miss women's golf team from 2006-10.
Haupt was named All-County by the Sun Sentinel and the Miami Herald in 2013. At Cypress High School, she was named team Most Valuable Player in 2012 and 2013, while earning medalist honors at the Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) regional championship both years.
She was also named Player of the Year by the Platinum Tour in 2013, earning victories at the Miami Holiday Classic Open, President's Classic and Spring Break Miami Open, while also taking a top five finish at the Platinum Tour Open.
Haupt also has extensive experience in international competition. She has participated in numerous tournaments in Argentina, Peru, Columbia and South American tournaments, earning 11 titles.
"We are so pleased to have two of Florida's top juniors join our program," said Gallup. "Miranda Holt has strong ties to the university and our program. Her father, mother and sister are all Southern Miss alums, while her sister Samantha was a standout golfer from 2006-10. She will be a great addition to the team and we look forward to her being a Golden Eagle and carrying on her family tradition.
Valentina Haupt brings a wealth of experience to our program. Her experience with the Chilean National Team will undoubtedly pay dividends for our program."
