JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's golf program has announced the signing of Grace Roper of Marion, Illinois. Roper will enter Union in the fall of 2025 as a freshman. 

Union head golf coach Andy Rushing said, "I am excited to have Grace join our program here at Union. She is a great fit athletically, academically, and spiritually. Our program is on the rise and we expect her to help continue the upward trajectory immediately upon her arrival."

Roper prepped at Marion High School, where she played four years of golf. Before her senior season, Roper won the St.Louis Jr. Open in July during the three hottest days of the summer. As a senior, Roper won nine medalist honors, including the South 7 Preview, Lady Cat Invite, and the Anna Jonesboro Invite. In the Lady Cat Invite, Roper set a school record with a 64. At the end of the season, she was named the Southern Illinois Girls Golfer of the Year. Her 18-hole average was 70.5 while posting a nine-hole average of 36.5. For her career, Roper recorded 23 medalist honors, including nine as a senior, seven as a junior, six as a sophomore, and one as a freshman. In each of her four years in high school, Roper was named first-team all-conference, qualified for regional, and qualified for sectionals. She qualified for the IHSA State Championship as a junior and senior, advancing to day two as a senior. She finished 19th in the state as a senior. Off the course, Roper has achieved numerous academic awards and is involved in several clubs. She is in the top five percent of her graduating class of 235 students. 

-UNION-