Charleston Southern senior Katie Stephens has steadily developed into one of the most consistent players in the Big South Conference. The Middlesbrough, England native has improved each season with the Buccaneers and now enters the final stretch of her senior year as the team’s scoring leader and a First Team All Big South selection.
Stephens has built a strong collegiate résumé that includes a tournament victory this season, multiple runner up finishes, and the ability to produce low rounds highlighted by a career low 66 at the Golfweek Fall Challenge.
Career Snapshot
Katie Stephens
School: Charleston Southern University
Class: Senior
Hometown: Middlesbrough, England
High School: Stokesley School
Stephens began playing golf at age seven and started competing seriously by age thirteen, eventually joining England training squads and playing national amateur events.
Her junior career included several notable results, finishing third at the 2022 Junior European Open and second at the St Andrews Junior Ladies Open. She also captured two Middlesbrough Junior Championships and four County Championship titles, including three consecutive victories.
Her amateur success eventually led her to pursue collegiate golf in the United States, where she chose Charleston Southern after connecting with the coaching staff and the opportunity to compete at a high level.
Career Highlights
First Team All Big South 2024 to 2025
Second Team All Big South 2023 to 2024
Career stroke average: 75.50 across 62 rounds
Low career round: 66 at the Golfweek Fall Challenge
Eight career top ten finishes
Seventeen career top twenty five finishes
Twenty three collegiate events played
Stephens has steadily lowered her scoring average during her time at Charleston Southern while becoming a consistent leader in the Buccaneers lineup.
Charleston Southern Career Snapshot
2025 to 2026 Senior Season
Stephens opened her senior season with a dominant performance at the Battle at the Beach, earning Big South Women’s Golfer of the Week honors.
Battle at the Beach Champion
Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club
Scores: 69, 72
Total: 141 (3 under par)
Stephens finished as the only player under par in the 74-player field, capturing the individual title and leading Charleston Southern to the team championship. The Buccaneers won the 13-team event with a total of 603 (+27).
The victory marked Stephens’ second collegiate title and her second win of the 2025 to 26 season.
She also recorded a T5 finish at The Southern with rounds of 72, 73, and 75 for a total of 220 and continues to serve as Charleston Southern’s scoring leader during her final season.
2024 to 2025 Junior Season
Stephens delivered the strongest season of her career and earned First Team All Big South honors.
Scoring average: 74.50
Ranked fourth in the Big South
She recorded four top ten finishes and seven top twenty five finishes while competing in all nine tournaments.
Her best performance came at the Golfweek Fall Challenge, where she finished runner up with rounds of 71, 66, and 71 for a total of 208. Her second round 66 tied for the lowest round recorded in the conference that season.
Stephens also finished runner up at the Elon Invitational and the Big South Championship, helping establish herself as Charleston Southern’s team leader.
2023 to 2024 Sophomore Season
Stephens earned Second Team All Big South honors while posting a 74.90 scoring average, ranking seventh in the conference.
She played in all eleven events and recorded four top ten finishes and six top twenty five finishes.
One of her most important moments came at the Big South Championship, where Stephens secured the match play victory that clinched Charleston Southern’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010.
2022 to 2023 Freshman Season
Stephens appeared in three events during her freshman campaign while adjusting to collegiate competition.
She competed in seven rounds with a 77.29 scoring average and recorded a season low round of 71 at the Georgia State Invitational.
Interview Highlights with CGN
Early golf career in England
Stephens began playing golf at age seven and later joined England training programs, where she competed alongside many of the country’s top amateur players.
She credits her regional England coach with helping elevate her game from a developing junior player to a national level competitor.
Decision to play college golf in the United States
Stephens first learned about the opportunity to play collegiate golf through a friend from her home club who had already moved to the United States.
After exploring the option further, she realized the American collegiate system offered strong competition and development opportunities. Charleston Southern ultimately stood out after she connected with the coaching staff and felt comfortable with the program.
Development during her college career
After her freshman season, Stephens returned home and practiced daily throughout the summer determined to improve. The work paid off as she significantly lowered her scoring average and began earning conference honors during her sophomore and junior seasons.
Senior season goals
Stephens hopes to help Charleston Southern win the Big South Championship and return to NCAA Regionals during her final season. Personally, she hopes to add another victory while enjoying the final months of her collegiate career with her teammates.
Outlook
Stephens enters the remainder of her senior season as one of the most experienced players in the Charleston Southern lineup. With multiple strong finishes throughout her career and a victory already this season, she continues to be a key contributor as the Buccaneers pursue another Big South title.
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