TOWSON, Md. – Thanks to the power of technology, Jenny Buchanan's parents were able to share in the celebration of the Towson University women's golf team's recent accomplishments despite being nearly 700 miles away from the Greenville (N.C.) Country Club.
 
"I called them immediately after both rounds and they were so happy for the team and me," Buchanan said. "I was actually on the phone with my dad when someone walked up and said we shot 294 and I started screaming so he got to be a part of the celebration for that. Both of my parents and my brother are just so happy to see us doing well because they know how hard each and every girl on this team works for moments like that."
 
There were plenty of reasons to rejoice as the Tigers re-wrote the school record book with a performance to remember at the Pirate Collegiate Challenge two weeks ago. The Tigers established program records for lowest 18-hole (294), 36-hole (592) and 54-hole (886) rounds as they finished third overall in the event.
 
In addition, Buchanan shot a 218 to set the school record for lowest 54-hole round. Her teammates, Alix Lowe and Alexis Hios shot 219 as they all finished among the top five individually during the Pirate Collegiate Challenge.
 
The Tigers are hungry and looking to improve and do more damage to the revised school record book when they compete Monday and Tuesday at the Pinehurst Challenge.
 
"Being part of records is obviously an amazing feeling," Buchanan said. "When we realized that we had shot 294, we all screamed and almost didn't know what to do. The ride home was so much fun because this was something we've all been working towards together. Long drives home after playing a lot of golf can be tiring but we were all really hyped up after breaking the record. We were playing music, singing along and mostly just being goofy. It was great and definitely one of my favorite trips home yet."
 
In two events this fall, Buchanan has finished in the top three in the Tignanelli Invitational, a tournament the Tigers won outright for the third straight year, and at the Pirate Collegiate Challenge. The biggest difference in Buchanan's performance is a change in her mindset along with the fact that she's been steeled by playing in lots of pressure-packed events during the summer.
 
Buchanan spent lots of time on the golf course this summer competing in the Porter Cup and the New York State Amateur. She also played a U.S. Open qualifier in Florida and a U.S. Amateur qualifier in New Jersey.
 
"I'm having a lot of fun playing golf this semester and I think that's been my greatest asset," Buchanan said. "Golf is the kind of sport that can beat you up but once you learn to overcome that and enjoy each shot, you feel much freer. I have grown the most mentally because I've learned to control my emotions. This allows me to forget about bad shots and enjoy the good shots."
 
 
It's paying off as Buchanan, who also holds the program record for lowest round with Hios. Buchanan leads the Tigers with a 73.4 average through two events this season. The centerpiece of Buchanan's performance was recording an eagle on the par 5 first hole in the second round of the Pirate Collegiate Challenge.
 
A business major with a marketing concentration, Buchanan is also making a difference for Towson off the course. The affable Buchanan is a presidential ambassador, which is a distinguished honor. The mission of the Presidential Ambassador program is to support Towson University's strategic plan by educating students on the importance of philanthropy and encouraging students to make their own donation to Towson University.
 
Her career goal is to play professional golf. However, if that falls short, Buchanan would love to work for a large company in the marketing department and be involved with social media and brand building.
 
Buchanan has never concerned herself with individual accolades. Instead, being around her teammates and sharing priceless moments with them bring her the most joy.
 
"The individual record means a lot to me because I worked really hard over summer on specific parts of my game and I feel like I'm starting to see that progress now," Buchanan said. "It hasn't set in because I was more focused on breaking the team school record and enjoying that with my teammates."
 
Host/Course: Pinehurst Resort – No. 1 Course – Pinehurst, N.C. – Par 72 – 5,974 yards
 
Format: 54 holes over two days, 36 on Monday at 8:30 a.m. and 18 on Tuesday. Both days will begin at 8:30 a.m. with shotgun starts.
 
Participating Teams: Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, East Carolina, Elon, Georgia State, Jacksonville, Jacksonville State, James Madison, Maryland, Nebraska, North Florida, Old Dominion, Presbyterian, Samford, Towson, UNCG, UAB and William & Mary.
 
Fast Facts: Since 1998, CofC has hosted the Pinehurst Challenge annually in the spring. This year will mark the third fall edition of the 21-year-old tournament. The No. 1, which is the oldest course at Pinehurst, will play at 5,974 yards. Last year, the tournament field battled the elements and playing conditions produced by Hurricane Matthew. East Carolina won the team title with a three-round score of 861 (-3), while Auburn was runner-up (+4) and Maryland third (+17).

Coverage: There will be live scoring.
 
Up Next: Towson will compete in the Delaware Invitational in Rehoboth Beach on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22.