CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – As the 2024-25 Harvard women's golf season comes to a close, all eyes are now on the upcoming Ivy League Championship Tournament, set to take place from April 18-20 at the Royal Palms Golf Club in Naples, Florida. The Crimson will face off against five other Ivy League teams in a quest for the coveted championship title and a chance to represent the league at the NCAA Tournament next month.
The tournament will feature a total of 54 holes, with 18-hole rounds scheduled each day. The competing teams include Harvard, Dartmouth, Columbia, Cornell, Yale, and Princeton, all vying for supremacy in this prestigious event.
Historically, Harvard has been a formidable force in Ivy League women’s golf, boasting eight championship titles. However, they are on the hunt for their first Ivy Championship Trophy since the 2018-19 season. Last year, the team finished fourth in the tournament, and they were runners-up in the 2022-23 competition, showcasing their competitive edge in recent years.
Among the Crimson’s roster, juniors Bridget Ma and Iris Wang stand out as the only players with prior Ivy League Tournament experience. Ma achieved a commendable second-place finish (T2) at the 2023-24 Ivy League Championships, while Wang secured a top-10 finish (T7) in the 2022-23 tournament. Their experience could prove invaluable as they navigate the pressures of championship play.
Currently, Harvard ranks third in the Ivy League with a team ranking of 127, trailing behind Princeton (64) and Yale (124). First-year Vanessa Zhang leads the team with the highest individual ranking at No. 265, making her the third-highest ranked golfer in the Ivy League. The Crimson has four players ranked within the top 750 of the Clippd Individual rankings, tying them for the most in the league alongside Princeton.
Zhang has been a standout performer this season, recording six top-10 finishes in seven tournaments. Her best results include two second-place finishes at the Patriot Invitational on March 17-18 and the Terrapin Invitational on April 6-7. She leads the team with an impressive scoring average of 73.1. Following her are Lucy Yuan (75.3), Iris Wang (75.4), and Michelle Liu (76.2), all contributing to the team’s overall success.
In total, Harvard has posted three second-place finishes across six tournaments this season, averaging a team score of 300.0 in tournament play. The team’s consistent performance highlights their readiness to compete at the Ivy League Championship.
Meanwhile, the Princeton women's golf team is also gearing up for the championship, aiming to add to their impressive legacy. The Tigers have clinched seven Ivy League Championship titles throughout their history, tying for second-most alongside Yale and just one behind Harvard. Their last team championship came in 2022, and they are eager to reclaim the title.
Princeton's lineup for the 2025 Ivy League Championship features Catherine Rao, Olivia Duan, Victoria Liu, Flora Zhang, Abra Richmond, and Julia Kashimura. The team has enjoyed a successful season, with victories at the Nittany Lion Invitational and Princeton Invitational, as well as runner-up finishes at the Columbia Classic and River Landing Classic.
Catherine Rao has emerged as a key player for the Tigers, having won the Nittany Lion Invitational and the Columbia Classic this season. Victoria Liu, a two-time Ivy League Medalist, is also a significant asset, boasting a stroke average of 74.4 over nine Ivy League Championship rounds. Liu's previous wins at the Ivy League Championship in 2022 and 2023 make her a formidable competitor.
Interestingly, the tournament will see some players making their first appearances in the Ivy League Championship. Olivia Duan and Abra Richmond are both set to make their debuts, adding an element of unpredictability to the competition.
As the tournament approaches, tee times are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. each day, with pairings announced the day before each round. The excitement is palpable as teams prepare to battle it out on the greens of Royal Palms Golf Club.
With both Harvard and Princeton bringing strong lineups and a rich history of competitive play, the 2025 Ivy League Championship promises to deliver thrilling golf action. Fans can expect a weekend filled with intense rivalry and high stakes as these talented athletes aim for glory and a chance to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
As the countdown to the championship continues, the anticipation builds. Will Harvard reclaim their title as champions, or will Princeton add another trophy to their collection? The stage is set for an exhilarating showdown in Naples, Florida.
