The busy summer amateur season has faded to fall as school’s across the country are back in session, which means college golf is back in season.
Stanford, with a loaded roster that includes the top two female amateurs in the world, is no surprise at No. 1 and boasts big depth even past those two marquee players. It’s a similar story of depth at Wake Forest (which has been a consistent theme for the Demon Deacons) and locks in that team at No. 2. Defending NCAA champion Ole Miss and runner-up Oklahoma State also scored spots in the top 10 as they return big chunks of last year’s postseason squads.
Check out the top 30 teams entering the 2020-21 college golf season.
The top of the Cardinal lineup is as tough as it gets with the Nos. 1 and 2 amateurs in the world in Rose Zhang and Rachel Heck. There’s a USGA champion (Angelina Ye) and a British Women’s Amateur champion (Aline Krauter) in the mix, too. Hard to see how Stanford isn’t the team to beat all year.
STANFORD, CA – MAY 12: Sadie Englemann, Rachel Heck, Angelina Ye, Brooke Seay and Aline Krauter after the final round of the NCAA Stanford Regional at Stanford Golf Course on May 12, 2021 in Stanford, California.
The Demon Deacons have maintained their depth for the past four seasons now. Lauren Walsh and Rachel Kuehn are strong returners, with head coach Kim Lewellen bringing freshman Carolina Chacarra-Lopez and Maryland transfer Virunpat Olankitkunchai into the fold, too.
Rachel Kuehn poses with her medal following the second round of stroke play at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (Darren Carroll/USGA)
The Rebels return a nearly complete national title squad. Expect big-hitting Englishwoman Ellen Hume to step into the spot vacated by graduate Kennedy Swann.
Ole Miss golfers celebrate after defeating Oklahoma State in the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Gina Kim is a leader on this team, but the Blue Devils need her to remain in Durham all year (she just won first stage of LPGA Q-School) to make noise in the postseason.
Duke Blue Devils golfer Erica Shephard chips on the 11th fringe during the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Seminoles seemed to go overlooked last season until winning an NCAA Regional. Senior Beatrice Wallin leads strong supporting cast.
Beatrice Wallin, Florida State (FSU Athletics/Ross Obley)
Another team with a Swedish superstar. Ingrid Lindblad, plus Latanna Stone, are the frontwomen for a squad that will sharpen the ax with a tough competition schedule.
Women’s Golf Practice
Photo by: Andrew Wevers
Losing Maja Stark hits hard, but Maddison Hinson-Tolchard and transfer Caley McGinty may be able to offset some of that loss.
May 26, 2021; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma State University golfers walk the course after being defeated by Ole Miss during the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship Final at Grayhawk Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Deep lineup here, including four players who finished last season inside Golfweek’s top 100, that returns this season as the SEC team champs.
Auburn women defeated Mississippi State to win the 2021 SEC Championship. (Auburn Athletics)
The young Bruins team will take big leadership from Emma Spitz. Alessia Nobilio and newcomer Zoe Campos will be factors, too.
Emma Spitz, UCLA (UCLA Athletics)
Vivian and Yu-Sang Hou, sisters from Taiwan, will be big players for the Wildcats provided they return post-LPGA Q-School.
Yu-Chiang Hou reacts to her putt on the ninth green during the final match at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y. on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021. (Darren Carroll/USGA)
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