HOUSTON, TEXAS – York College senior golfer Emma Harding has earned the prestigious Kim Moore Spirit Award presented by the Women's Golf Coaches Association on Wednesday evening.

The award is dedicated to Kim Moore, who played collegiate golf for the University of Indianapolis from 1999 to 2003. Kim was an inspiration to all as she persevered through many physical challenges while playing collegiate golf. Her positive outlook and dedication toward the game was only outdone but her sense of humor and passion for the game.

The purpose of the award is to recognize and honor a student-athlete or coach who exemplifies a great spirit toward the game of golf, a positive attitude on and off the golf course, a role model for her team and mental toughness in facing challenges. The honor has been awarded every year since 2005.

Harding is extremely deserving of the award. The Spartan senior has been a clear leader for the program that is only five years old. She was a member of the first recruiting class and a founding member of the program in 2017-18. Harding has helped set the culture and is beloved by her teammates.

"Emma is the heartbeat of our team," says head coach Eric Stauffer. "She has had the biggest impact in creating the second to none culture that we are fortunate enough to have. She has always been the leader of the team and someone the players and coaches have always looked to when anyone needs anything. I can say with 100% confidence that this program would not be where it is if it wasn't for Emma Harding. She has left an impression on me, Dave (Boslough) and York College that will last forever."

Harding's impact couldn't have been more obvious in January when she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. The team rallied around their leader and helped her navigate the start of her treatment and, essentially, the loss of her competitive senior season.

The team played for her all season as they picked up their second straight Middle Atlantic Conference and are participating in their second straight NCAA Tournament. Harding did get the opportunity to play in two tournaments that her chemotherapy scheduled allowed but was unavailable to the Spartans for the conference and national championships.

"Emma's legacy will be everlasting," says Stauffer. "No matter the success of our program down the line, Emma will always be a keystone upon which this program has been built. I am so happy to see her recognized with the Kim Moore Award."

Harding will graduate with her nursing degree on Saturday along with teammates Jordan Koller, Anna Moore, Shelby Tapman, and Brenna Keener.