Golf fans across the collegiate landscape were treated to a flurry of action this week, as teams and individuals wrapped up major fall tournaments in Kansas, Texas, and Indiana. From team battles and standout freshman performances to storied program consistency, the past few days have showcased the grit and promise of college golf heading into the heart of the season.
In Lawrence, Kansas, the Drake women’s golf team concluded their campaign at the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational on Tuesday afternoon. The Bulldogs battled through three rounds at the challenging event, ultimately finishing in 14th place with a team total of 937 (305-316-316). While the squad didn’t crack the top ten, there were several bright spots for the youthful roster, especially from freshman Annabelle Bush.
Bush, making her mark early in her collegiate career, led the way for Drake, tying for 44th on the individual leaderboard. She carded rounds of 75, 79, and 77 for a total score of 231. Her steady play in a competitive field sets a solid foundation for the future. Right behind her, Amber Henson tied for 53rd after posting rounds of 77, 79, and 77, totaling 233. Julie Huggins was just a shot back, tied for 55th with 234 (74-77-83), displaying consistency in the opening rounds before a tougher final day.
Rounding out the Bulldog lineup, Kate Connolly finished solo 63rd with a 239 (79-81-79), while Alexis Reyes placed 75th, tallying 249 (80-84-85). The host institution, Kansas, seized the home-course advantage and won the tournament by a commanding 14 strokes, finishing with a team total of 855. The Jayhawks' Ebba Nordstedt was simply sensational, capturing individual medalist honors with a 6-under 207 (63-71-73) — the only player in the field to finish under par. Her opening round 63 left spectators and competitors alike stunned, and she never looked back.
Drake’s head coach and players will surely look at the Invitational as a learning experience, with the promise of improvement on the horizon. The Bulldogs won’t have to wait long for another shot, as they’re set to close out their fall season at the Clash at Boulder Creek in Boulder City, Nevada, on October 27-28. Can they build on Bush’s momentum and climb the leaderboard next time out?
Meanwhile, in the Lone Star State, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) men’s golf team wrapped up the Trinity Forest Invitational at the picturesque Trinity Forest Golf Course in Dallas. The Vaqueros finished 10th in a deep and talented field, posting a final round of 291 for a three-round total of 866. They were tantalizingly close to moving up: UTRGV finished just one shot behind East Tennessee State for ninth and five shots shy of North Texas for eighth.
Sophomore Gabriel Dulon Villoslada led the charge for the Vaqueros, tying for 24th after carding a three-round 213, highlighted by a final round one-under par 71. Freshman Jorge Martin Sampedro matched that final round 71 and ended tied for 31st with a 215, showing poise beyond his years. Junior Esteban Gonzalez was steady as ever, tying for 41st with a total of 218 after a closing 74. Brock Porter, another freshman, tied for 67th at 225 (final round 75), and junior Rodolphe Cicala tied for 73rd at 226 (final round 76).
The top of the team standings featured a dramatic tie, with USC and Rice both finishing at 832. South Alabama was just a stroke back, making for a thrilling finish. Individually, Rice’s Lukas Boandl and Houston’s Hudson Weibel shared the lead at 201, a testament to the high level of play on display in Dallas.
UTRGV’s season is far from over, and the squad will be back in action October 24-25 at the Monterrey International Invitational in Monterrey, Mexico. The close margins in Dallas will surely fuel their preparation. Can Villoslada and Sampedro continue to set the pace for the Vaqueros?
Up north in Muncie, Indiana, the Pepperdine women’s golf program continued to demonstrate why it is regarded as one of the nation’s most consistent powerhouses. Senior Yingzhi Zhu and sophomore Nishna Patel took on a select 14-player field at the Golfweek Put Me in Coach Invitational at Delaware Country Club Golf Course. Despite the small field, the competition was fierce, with athletes from Pepperdine, Texas, Ball State, Purdue, Xavier, and Bowling Green in the mix.
Zhu shone brightly, tying for third place with a three-over par total for the tournament. She was especially sharp in the middle rounds, opening with an even par 72 before firing a one-under 71 in round two. Zhu was one of just four players in the field to post multiple rounds at par or better, a feat that speaks to her experience and skill. Patel, meanwhile, was a model of consistency, firing a three-over 75 in each round to finish tied for seventh at nine over par. She was one of only three competitors to shoot 75 or lower in every round.
Pepperdine head coach Laurie Gibbs was quick to praise her players’ efforts, stating, “The Put Me In Coach Invitational was an excellent opportunity for Jenny and Nishna to compete during the fall. They both played well over 54 holes, which will increase their confidence as the season goes on.” According to the program, this event marked the first competition of the fall for both Zhu and Patel. Zhu has featured in every tournament in the 2024-25 season, while Patel saw action in seven events as a freshman.
The Waves will look to cap off their fall campaign in style at the prestigious Stanford Intercollegiate hosted by Condoleezza Rice, running from October 17-19. With a record of 26 straight NCAA Regional appearances and 21 WCC Championships since 1998, Pepperdine’s women’s golf program continues to set the standard for excellence in collegiate golf. Since 2000, 15 athletes have earned All-American honors, racking up 31 selections in total.
Beyond the scores and standings, these tournaments serve as a reminder of the depth and excitement in college golf. Whether it’s a freshman making her debut, a team narrowly missing a higher finish, or a storied program adding to its legacy, the fall season is heating up. All eyes will be on the next slate of events as these teams and players look to build on the momentum, chase titles, and write the next chapter in their respective histories.
With more tournaments on the horizon and plenty of storylines developing, fans won’t have to wait long for the next dose of collegiate golf drama. Stay tuned as the fall season continues to unfold.
