University of Tennessee Athletics
Mikayla Bardwell Signs with Lady Vols
November 09, 2017 | Women's Golf
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee women's golf added Mikayla Bardwell to the 2018 class on Thursday. She is the second player to sign a National Letter of Intent to join the Lady Vols for the 2018-19 season.
"Mikayla is a very dynamic player and really good student," head coach Judi Pavon said. "She is going to be a great addition to our team and I expect to see her competing in the fall. I'm excited that she made the choice to come to Tennessee after having lots of other great options."
Bardwell is the No.36-ranked player in the 2018 class according to Golfweek. In 2017, she tied for second at the Bubba Conlee Invitational before placing fifth at the AJGA Hunter Mahan Championship. Bardwell also placed fourth at the AJGA Kansas Junior at Buffalo Dunes and qualified for the Junior PGA earlier this year.
A two-year captain of Prestonwood Christian Academy's golf team, Bardwell shot 146 in the 2017 TAPPS 6A State Championship to finish in second place and help the Lions to a runner-up finish. In 2016, she led the team to the TAPPS 5A Championship title which Prestonwood Christian won by 66 strokes.
"I loved the school and Coach Judi and Coach Mandy from the beginning," Bardwell said. "Having used to live in Knoxville, I knew I loved the area as well. As the door to play golf at Tennessee opened up last minute, I knew that was exactly where I wanted to go."
Hailing from Lewisville, Texas, Bardwell has been selected to the All-State Team three years running (2015-17). She averaged 72.17 as a senior and shot a career-low 63 at the annual Lakeapalooza tournament where she tied for third.
Bardwell has competed in 90 junior level tournaments during her career. She placed first at an NTPGA event held at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club. Bardwell has also carded three hole-in-ones during her career, including two in a single tournament from 137 yards out and 174 yards out.
In addition to leading Prestonwood Christian Academy's golf team, Bardwell ranks in the top 10% of her class academically. She earned both a speech and Spanish award while at Prestonwood. She was also selected to the Principal's Honor List and the recipient of the Lion's Character Award. Bardwell played in Prestonwood's strings ensemble and has been practicing violin for eight years.
Bardwell has a younger brother, Nathan, and she is the daughter of Steve and Andrea Bardwell. She plans to enroll and begin her collegiate career in the fall of 2018.
