Women’s Golf is the only athletic program at Rhodes College to have claimed three NCAA Division III National Championships. Led by legendary coach and alumnus Mike Clary ’77, the Lynx clinched national titles in the 2013-2014, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017 seasons, and now will be inducted in the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame on Nov. 14 during the college’s Homecoming/Reunion Weekend.
Let’s look back at their incredible journey.
2013-2014
The 2013-2014 Rhodes Women’s Golf team ranks as one of college golf’s all-time “Cinderella stories,” according to Clary. Entering the season unranked in NCAA Division III women’s golf, and ultimately the eight seed in the NCAA tournament, the Lynx had an improbable, magical week at the Mission Inn in Florida in May of 2014 to win Rhodes’ first-ever NCAA Division III National Championship.
The seeds for a successful 2013-14 season were planted the year before with talented first-year student Megan Richards. Then in August 2013, another talented first-year class became Lynx—Sarahanne Vaughan, Nikki Isaacson, and Jessica Zweifel.
The fall season concluded with an impressive fourth place finish in the Golfweek Invitational and a 12th place national ranking. The spring season included a third-place finish in the Jekyll Island Collegiate and the Lynx capturing the 2014 Southern Athletic Association Championship (SAA), their first title since 2002.
Perhaps the wisest decision of Clary’s 44-year career at Rhodes was appointing Mary Reed to be the “coach on the course” in the 2014 NCAA tournament. “The interaction Mary had with our players on the course and key advice she provided were huge in our team’s play,” said Clary in the post-tournament interview.
As the eight seed, Rhodes entered the NCAA tournament on no one’s radar to compete for the team title. That quickly changed in round one when the Lynx established a 10-stroke lead. In dominating fashion, the Lynx went on to lead wire-to-wire to capture the National Championship by 24 strokes. Individually, Jessica Zweifel placed third, Nikki Isaacson fourth, and Meg Healy 10th. Strong play by Sarahanne Vaughan and Jessica Ritter was also key.
2015-2016
Perhaps the D3 golf world thought Rhodes 2014 National Championship was a one-off. This was not to be so, thanks to the talent of seniors Meg Healy, Pearlissa Harris, and Clarice Cannon; juniors Nikki Isaacson, Mackenzie Cohen, and Sarahanne Vaughan; sophomores Maddie Rhodes and Alexa Calomiris; and first-year students Melissa Kiker and Emily Salamy. Meg Healy and Nikki Isaacson served as team captains.
After three impressive tournament wins, Rhodes concluded the fall season ranked No. 3. The Lynx kicked off spring break with a resounding 17-stroke win at the Callaway Invitational. The day after the tournament, the team boarded a flight to California, where Rhodes alumnus RJ Harper ’78, the executive vice president of golf at Pebble Beach, hosted the entire team for a memorable three days of golf on the famed Pebble Beach golf courses.
In the spring, Rhodes climbed to No. 1 in the country in both the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) and Golfstat rankings, which included an undefeated (7-0) regular season against NCAA Division III competition. The Lynx also won their third straight Southern Athletic Association Championship.
In the NCAA tournament, veteran golf instructor Sam Kern served as the “coach on the course.” The team roared in the second round by shooting an NCAA tournament record 294, bolstered by Sarahanne Vaughan and Emily Salamy’s even-par scores of 72. Rhodes kept the foot on the petal in round three, shooting 296, with Mackenzie Cohen posting a round of three-under 69. Leading by 16 shots entering the final round, the Lynx were an amazing four-under par on the front nine. Absolute amazing golf, according to Clary. A severe thunderstorm battered the course, and the final nine holes were canceled, giving Rhodes their second National Championship in three years. Individually, Mackenzie Cohen placed third and Sarahanne Vaughan fifth. As a result of their outstanding seasons, Meg Healy and Mackenzie Cohen were named First Team WGCA All American.
2016-2017
With the nucleus of the 2015-2016 team returning for the 2016-17 season, hopes were high for a run at a third national championship. The team included senior tri-captains Nikki Isaacson, Mackenzie Cohen, and Sarahanne Vaughan; juniors Maddie Rhodes and Alexa Calomiris; and sophomores Melissa Kiker and Emily Salamy.
In early November, Lee and Joe Duncan, longtime supporters of the Rhodes women’s golf program, informed Clary that their dear friend and Rhodes Trustee Emeritus Dr. Bob Waller wanted to host the team at Augusta National, the famous golf club in Augusta, GA, and home of the Masters Tournament. Business leader John Dobbs flew the team there in early February in his private jet. The next day began with breakfast in Augusta National’s famed dining room, followed by 18 holes on the iconic Augusta National course.
Rhodes entered the 2017 tournament as the No. 3 seed with Sam Kern serving once again as the “coach on the course.” After two days of play, the Lynx held a four-stroke lead, thanks to Emily Salamy’s record breaking second round score of four-under 68. Round three saw Nikki Issacson fire her second score of one-under 71 in the championship.
The final round began with the Lynx in third place, four strokes out of the lead. After nine holes of play, the team had fallen to seven strokes behind the leader, seemingly out of contention. On the back nine, the Lynx recorded one of the greatest comebacks in NCAA championship history. In very windy, pressure packed conditions, Rhodes came back to win the 2017 National Championship by two strokes, their third title in four years. Nikki Isaacson capped off an amazing tournament, finishing as the individual national runner-up.
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Established in 1996, the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame honors those whose athletic excellence, dedication, and perseverance have brought distinction to Rhodes College. In addition to the Women’s Golf National Championship Teams, the 2026 inductees include:
- Dan Anderson ’76, basketball
- Phil Mischke ’79, football
- Brian McCarthy ’03, track, field, and cross-country
- Corletra Mance ’05, track, field, and cross-country
- Taylor Stephens Ames ’12, track, field, and cross-country
- Dr. Robert Miller, team physician from 1986 to 2024