Classes are back in session at most campuses across the country, which means college golf is set to officially tee off for the 2023-24 season this month.
As colleges and universities across the country are welcoming their student-athletes back to campus, most of the nation’s attention will be fixated on the preseason All-Americans and ANNIKA Award Watch List, but there are more than a few new faces in the college game that will be contributing immediately for their teams. It won’t take long for many of these golfers to become national stars.
These are the women’s newcomers to college golf that fans may want to keep an eye on this season.
Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio, Texas A&M
Garcia-Poggio is ranked second in the World Amateur Golf Ranking before hitting a shot in college, showing her prowess and skill. She finished fourth at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and has a strong chance to be a first-team All-American come the spring.
Sara Im, Vanderbilt
Im made the Round of 32 at the U.S. Girls’ Junior and also finished third at the Mizuho Americas Open in the junior division. She also finished 19th at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.
Ting Hsuan-Huang, Oregon
Hsuan-Huang comes to Oregon with plenty of experience playing on the big stage. She finished 22nd at the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship and qualified for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach.
Ashleen Kaur, Baylor
Kaur won the 2023 ANNIKA Invitational on top of a T-9 finish at the Junior PGA Championship and T-9 at the Polo Golf Junior Classic.
Frances Kim, USC
Kim was a 2022 Rolex All-American Second Team member and also claimed an AJGA win, four top-three and six top-16 finishes in 2023. Along with fellow USC freshman Bailey Shoemaker, Kim tied for first after stroke play at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball.
Lauren Kim, Texas
Lauren Kim capped her summer winning the Canadian Women’s Amateur. She also advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Girls’ Junior and the Round of 32 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
Jaclyn LaHa, Virginia
LaHa reached the semifinals at 2023 Women’s Western Amateur after finishing 24th in stroke play and also finished T-8 at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.
Erica Lee, Illinois
Lee, ranked 23rd in the Golfweek/Sagarin Junior Girls rankings, finished in third at the 2022 SCPGA Jr. Tour Toyota Tour Cup, second at the 2022 SCPGA Jr. Tour Toyota Tour Cup and is an AJGA All-American.
Katie Li, Duke
Li advanced to the Round of 32 at the U.S. Girls’ Junior and made match play at the U.S. Women’s Amateur. She also finished fourth at the Mizuho Americas Open.
Maria Jose Marin, Arkansas
Marin started her college career with a second-place finish in the Carmel Cup at Pebble Beach, which shows why she’s on this list. She has a chance to be an All-American by season’s end.
Farah O'Keefe, Texas
O’Keefe played in the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach and made it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Girls’ Junior. Also finished 12th in the Canadian Women’s Amateur.
Macy Pate, Wake Forest
The defending national champions lose a couple big pieces to their title-winning team, but Pate is a big step to fill the void. Wake Forest will benefit from Pate right away. She played in the U.S. Girls’ Junior and won the 2023 North and South Junior.
Kiara Romero, Oregon
Another stellar incoming freshman at Oregon, Romero’s summer was highlighted by her victory at the 2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She also advanced to match play at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
Paula Martin Sampedro, Stanford
Another year, another top recruit heading to Stanford. Martin Sampedro finished T-6 in her opening event, the Carmel Cup at Pebble Beach, and showed she can be one of the Cardinal’s best players this season, even in a loaded lineup.
Bailey Shoemaker, USC
Shoemaker has been one of the top juniors in the class for some time. She made it to the semifinals of the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur and the Round of 16 this summer at Bel-Air Country Club. She’s also a two-time Rolex AJGA All-America selection.
