Sun Devil Women's Golf completed the Fall portion of the 2023-24 campaign. Arizona State had several significant achievements and exciting moments during the first four tournaments of the season. All six Sun Devils on the roster competed in at least three events, gaining valuable experience. The competition in practice and to qualify for the spot in the lineup has never been higher, as Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye's team looks to continue the program's tradition of success. ASU begins the Spring season on January 22, when they head to Gold Canyon for the Match of the Desert. It is the first of three appearances in Arizona during the Spring, with the Maroon & Gold hosting the annual PING/ASU Invitational March 28-30. Learn more about the Sun Devils start to the 2023-24 season and what lies ahead.
COACH'S CORNER
"This Fall was a tremendous opportunity to grow as a team," Coach Farr-Kaye observed. "All six of our student-athletes have been working extremely hard to improve their game. We had some strong moments over the past few months and look forward to building on that."
"The best has yet to come for this group," Coach Farr-Kaye added. "It is exciting that our fans have a couple chances in the state of Arizona to watch us play, because you are going to have the chance to see some exciting golf. Coach Tatman and I are encouraged by the attitude of the team and optimistic for the Spring season."
ARIZONA STATE WOMEN'S GOLF SCHEDULE
McGuire Invitational – Sept. 11-12 (Albuquerque, NM)
Mason Rudolph Invitational – Sept. 22-24 (Franklin, TN)
Windy City Collegiate Classic – Oct. 2-3 (Chicago, IL)
Stanford Intercollegiate – Oct. 20-22 (Palo Alto, CA)
Match in the Desert – January 22 (Gold Canyon, AZ)
Therese Hession Regional Challenge – Feb. 4-6 (Palos Verdes, CA)
Duel in the Desert (vs. Denver) – Feb. 25 (Phoenix, AZ)
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate – March 4-6 (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational – March 17-19 (Honolulu, HI)
PING/ASU Invitational – March 28-30 (Phoenix, AZ) - HOSTED BY ASU
Pac-12 Championship – April 21-23 (Pullman, WA)
NCAA Regionals – May 6-8 (Auburn/Cle Elum/College State/East Lansing/Las Vegas/Winston-Salem)
NCAA Championship – May 17-22 (La Costa, CA; Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Champions Course)
UP NEXT...
SPRING SEASON
Match in the Desert – January 22 (Gold Canyon, AZ)
The Sun Devils will make their first appearance in the state of Arizona when they travel to Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club for the Match in the Desert. Arizona State will enter the event having won four of the past five titles. This will be the first opportunity for fans to check out the Maroon & Gold in action. Kansas will host for the third consecutive year, with the tournament taking place on one day. In the 2023 version, Arizona State (-11/277) overcame cold weather and a frost delay, maintaining their focus on their way to delivering a spectacular round in their home state. Ashley Menne birdied her first hole which set the tone for what would become an eight-birdie round, matching a career-low 65 (-7) in the process. She was named Co-Champion of the event after finishing tied with UCLA's Caroline Canales. Arizona State matched the sixth-lowest team score vs. par in program history on their way to a second-place finish at the Match in the Desert. The 277 (-11) was just one stroke shy of eventual team champion UCLA, as ASU finished ahead of Top-25 teams Baylor and Arizona.
Therese Hession Regional Challenge – Feb. 4-6 (Palos Verdes, CA)
The former Northrup Grumman Regional Challenge was renamed in honor legendary women's golf coach Therese Hession in 2022. This will be Arizona State's first appearance in the event since 2020. The 29th edition of the event will be held at Palos Verdes Golf Club, a place Coach Farr-Kaye is very familiar with. Back in 2020, Olivia Mehaffey (-5/208) put together three consecutive rounds under par on her way to a second-place finish. She continued her dominance of the Palos Verdes Golf Club, earning silver in a loaded field less than a year after capturing the 2019 Pac-12 Championship at the same location. The Maroon & Gold (-2/282) finished on a high note, putting together the third best round of the final day. Overall, the Sun Devils finished in fifth place in a field with eight of the Top-10 teams in the country and 12 members of the Top-25.
ASU has won the Regional Challenge team title twice (2006, 2009) and has had an individual medalist four times (Juliana Murcia in 2009, Carlota Ciganda in 2011, Monica Vaughn in 2016, Olivia Mehaffey in 2018).
Duel in the Desert (vs. Denver) – Feb. 25 (Phoenix, AZ)
Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye announced in November that Arizona State will compete in an event with Denver on February 25. The one-day, stroke-play event will take place at Papago Golf Club with Denver serving as the host school. Sun Devil fans now have a third opportunity to watch the Maroon & Gold in the state of Arizona.
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate – March 4-6 (Hilton Head Island, SC)
For the third consecutive year, Sun Devil Women's Golf will be featured in one of the top collegiate events of the season, the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate. It will once again be aired live on GOLF Channel from Long Cove Club, with the nation's top teams getting exposure on a national scale. Arizona State represented themselves extremely well on national television as a part of the only televised regular season women's collegiate golf tournament on GOLF Channel. At an event featuring 16 of the Top-46 and 14 of the Top-32 teams in the latest Golfstat rankings, Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye's team finished in sixth. Four of the five teams that finished ahead of them are ranked in the Top-10.
Three Sun Devils finished in the Top-25 of the individual race, led by Ashley Menne. Menne had the best round of any Sun Devil throughout the three days, delivering a 69 (-2). She made a jump up the standings for the second consecutive day, eventually finishing in a tie for 13th. Not far behind was Paula Schulz-Hanssen, who continued her strong play by finishing tied for 16th. Beth Coulter was the third Sun Devil in the Top-25 in a field that boasted 23 of the Top-52 and 41 of the Top-100 golfers in the latest Golfstat rankings. This event ended up being a preview of the NCAA Championship last year, with the nation's top ranked teams getting significant media coverage and attention.
Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational – March 17-19 (Honolulu, HI)
Arizona State returns to the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational for the first time since 2019. This will be the 38th edition of the tournament hosted by the University of Hawaii at Hoakalei Country Club. Back in 2020, the No. 3-ranked Sun Devils proved they were in a different class compared to the rest of the field, cruising to a 19-stroke win while posting what was then the sixth lowest total vs. par over 54 holes in program history. To put the Sun Devils total of 852 (-12) into perspective, no other team finished below par, including 12 of the 16 teams finishing 886 (+22) or worse.
In addition to the team title, future All-American Linn Grant (-7/209) took home Individual Medalist honors, capturing the first win of her illustrious collegiate career. She was tested on her way to claiming the crown, showing she can respond to pressure. After tying through 54 holes, Grant would come out on top of a five-hole playoff with TCU's Sabrina Iqbal thanks to a clutch birdie. Arizona State not only took home the 2011 Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational team title, former All-American and current LPGA standout Carlota Ciganda captured individual medalist honors.
PING/ASU Invitational – March 28-30 (Tempe, AZ - Papago Golf Club)
The Sun Devils make their second appearance in the state as they host the annual PING/ASU Invitational at Papago Golf Club. Several of the nation's top teams will once again take part in one of the most historic collegiate golf tournaments. This will be the 51st edition of the PING/ASU Invitational, with the first 45 being held at Karsten Golf Course and the past five taking place at Papago Golf Club. Arizona State has won the most event titles, claiming the team championship at PING/ASU an incredible 22 times. This included the 2021 & 2022 editions.
The Maroon & Gold also boast the most individual medalists in tournament history, with Sun Devils earning the crown 17 times. This includes Alexandra Forsterling in 2022. Forsterling (-9/207) had to beat out current senior Ashley Menne for the title, as Arizona State finished 1-2 in the final player standings.
POSTSEASON
Pac-12 Championship – April 21-23 (Pullman, WA)
Washington State will have difficult shoes to fill as they follow Arizona State as the host of the Pac-12 Women's Golf Championship. Papago Golf Course received rave reviews as the hosts of the 2023 edition. In 2024, Palouse Ridge Golf Club plays host for the final conference championship with all 12 teams involved. No team has enjoyed more success at the Pac-10/12 Women's Golf Championships than Arizona State. Their 13 individual champions are six more than any other team, while their eight team championships are tied for first. Most recently, Olivia Mehaffey claimed the 2019 Individual Championship by coming back from four strokes down on the final day. The Sun Devils last one as a team back in 2009 on their way to the program's seventh of eight NCAA Championships, with Coach Farr-Kaye serving as an Assistant Coach that year.
Legendary Sun Devil Women's Golf Head Coach Linda Vollstedt could be considered the queen of the Pac-10/12 Championships. Her teams won it a total of six times, including the first two in 1987 & 1988. Later in her career, Arizona State ran off four straight titles during their dominant run in the mid-90s, a feat that has never been matched since. ASU has three Top-3 finishes at the conference championships under Coach Farr-Kaye, finishing third in 2016, 2019, and 2021.
NCAA Regionals – May 6-8 (Auburn/Cle Elum/College State/East Lansing/Las Vegas/Winston-Salem)
Arizona State has qualified for NCAA Regionals every year since it was instituted in 1992. If they do so again in 2024, they will travel to one of the following six sites. A total of 72 teams are selected to the NCAA Regionals, with 12 teams making each regional. ASU would need to finish in the Top-4 of their regional to advance to the NCAA Championship. Here are the six regional locations:
NCAA Championship – May 17-22 (La Costa, CA; Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Champions Course)
For the first time since 2019, the NCAA Women's Golf Championship will not be at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, as Arizona State's extremely successful three-year run as a host has come to an end. The 2024 NCAA Women's Golf Championship will take place near San Diego at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Champions Course. Should they advance from a Regional, Sun Devil Women's Golf will attempt to win the program's NCAA record ninth national championship. Missy Farr-Kaye was in charge the last time that ASU won a title, defeating Northwestern at Rich Harvest Farms in Chicago for the 2017 NCAA Women's Golf Championship. The program also brought home NCAA titles in 2009, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1993, and 1990.
2023-24 CAMPAIGN
Arizona State has been tested throughout the 2023 season as Coach Farr-Kaye built one of the nation's toughest slates once again. The Maroon and Gold will compete in a total of nine regular season events in 2023-24, having completed four in the Fall with five remaining in the Spring. The postseason begins April 21 at the Pac-12 Championship, with NCAA Regionals and NCAA Championships scheduled for the month of May.
FALL RECAP
MCGUIRE INVITATIONAL (SEPT. 11-12)
Arizona State finished in third place in their return to the McGuire Invitational, beating out 13 teams in the initial event of the 2023-24 campaign. It was a balanced effort that helped the Sun Devils to an impressive performance over the two days, as four individuals finished in the Top-20. Ashley Menne led the way for the Maroon & Gold, appearing to be in mid-season form on her way to a sixth place finish. Grace Summerhays put together a strong effort in order to tie for 14th. Patience Rhodes and Paula Schulz-Hanssen joined them in the Top-20, with the pair finishing tied for 17th. All six Sun Devils earned valuable experience that will be critical for the rest of the 2023-24 season.
MASON RUDOLPH INVITATIONAL (SEPT. 22-24)
Arizona State (-13/851) finished in fourth place as a team after posting a 285 (-3), moving two spots up the leaderboard on the final day of the Mason Rudolph Invitational in September. The Maroon & Gold were the top finishing non-SEC team at the tournament played in the footprint of the league, as Coach Farr-Kaye's team proved to be able to handle the change in geography. The Mason Rudolph Invitational featured 11 teams ranked inside GOLF Channel's preseason Top-35 and ASU beat out seven of them this weekend.
The Sun Devils were led by sophomore Paula Schulz-Hanssen, who was fantastic on her way to a Top-5 finish. She completed the Mason Rudolph Invitational at 209 (-7), capping the event with a 69 (-3) to move into a tie for fifth. She was joined by Beth Coulter (T16th) and Grace Summerhays (T20th) in the Top-20 of a loaded individual field.
WINDY CITY COLLEGIATE (OCT. 2-3)
Sun Devil Women's Golf returned to the Windy City Collegiate Classic, playing three rounds in two days. Arizona State continued their ascent up the leaderboard, climbing an additional two spots thanks to a solid final round. Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye's group shot a 288 (E) on the last day to move into a tie for 10th. The only teams to finish ahead of the Maroon & Gold other than host Northwestern entered the event in the Golfweek Top-30. Ashley Menne and Patience Rhodes led the way individually, each solidifying Top-20 finishes after carding a 70 (-2) in round three.
STANFORD INTERCOLLEGIATE (OCT. 20-22)
Sun Devil Women's Golf completed the Fall portion of the 2023-24 campaign at the Stanford Intercollegiate. Arizona State finished in seventh place out of 19 teams in a loaded field at Stanford Golf Course. Ashley Menne led the way individually, earning a spot in the Top-25 among a field of 100 golfers. Patience Rhodes enjoyed the best day of any Sun Devil, firing a 69 (-2) to move 15 spots up the leaderboard and into the Top-30. All five Sun Devils enjoyed stretches of strong play during the Fall, giving Sun Devil Women's Golf fans plenty to be excited about heading into the Spring. Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye's team will now enjoy a two month break before taking on their Spring schedule, which begins on January 22nd in Gold Canyon, Arizona for the Match in the Desert.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Ashley Menne
23-24 Low Round: 67 (-4)
23-24 Best Finish: 6
Birdies: 41
4 TOURNAMENTS/12 ROUNDS/71.2 STROKE AVERAGE
2 ROUND IN 60S/8 ROUNDS OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 31
Career Top-20 Finishes: 21
Grace Summerhays
23-24 Low Round: 70 (-2)
23-24Best Finish: T14
Birdies: 40
4 TOURNAMENTS/12 ROUNDS/72.9 STROKE AVERAGE
0 ROUNDS IN 60S/4 ROUNDS OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 22
Career Top-20 Finishes: 10
Calynne Rosholt
23-24 Low Round: 69 (-3)
23-24 Best Finish: T46
Birdies: 23
3 TOURNAMENTS/9 ROUNDS/73.9 STROKE AVERAGE
1 ROUND IN 60S/2 ROUND OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 24
Career Top-20 Finishes: 10
Paula Schulz-Hanssen
23-24 Low Round: 67 (-5)
23-24 Best Finish: T5
Birdies: 40
4 TOURNAMENTS/12 ROUNDS/72.1 STROKE AVERAGE
2 ROUNDS IN 60S/6 ROUNDS OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 14
Career Top-20 Finishes: 7
Beth Coulter
23-24 Low Round: 69 (-3)
23-24 Best Finish: T16
Birdies: 36
3 TOURNAMENTS/9 ROUNDS/72.3 STROKE AVERAGE
2 ROUNDS IN 60S/4 ROUNDS OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 14
Career Top-20 Finishes: 5
Patience Rhodes
23-24 Low Round: 68 (-4)
23-24 Best Finish: T17
Birdies: 40
3 TOURNAMENTS/9 ROUNDS/72.1 STROKE AVERAGE
1 ROUND IN 60S/4 ROUNDS OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 4
Career Top-20 Finishes: 2
ELITE COMPANY
The Sun Devils are one of just eight Division I Women's Golf teams to earn a spot at NCAA Regionals every year for the past 30 seasons. Only traditional powers Arizona State, Arizona, Duke, Florida, Stanford, USC, UCLA and Wake Forest have qualified for a regional each time since the postseason format changed in 1993. Arizona State is one of three programs to have earned a Top-2 seed at a NCAA Regional in each of the last three NCAA Championships. The Sun Devils are joined by Wake Forest and South Carolina on this exclusive list.
A TRADITION LIKE NO OTHER
During the past five decades, many of the premier amateur women's golfers have called Arizona State University home. Arizona State won its NCAA-leading eighth national championship title in 2017 to reinforce its standing as the premier women's golf school in the United States. Under legendary Head Coach Linda Vollstedt, the program became the first in women's collegiate golf to win six championships in a decade (1990, '93, '94, '95, '97, '98). ASU remains the lone program to ever capture three national titles in a row (1993, '94, '95). The Sun Devil Golf programs did something in 1990 that had never been done before and hasn't been accomplished since. ASU swept both the Men's and Women's Team National Titles in 1990, becoming the first school to capture both championships in the same year.
HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL
Sun Devil Athletics was thrilled to extend four of its head coaches over the Christmas holiday, including Women's Golf Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye. Currently in her eighth year with ASU, Farr-Kaye has been extended through the 2027-28 athletic calendar. She completed the trifecta in 2017, becoming the first individual in NCAA history to win a National Championship as a player, assistant coach, and head coach at the same school.
THE BIRD
The Thunderbirds Golf Complex, designed by Douglas Fredrickson Architects and built by Rummel Construction Inc., is a 7,000-square foot facility featuring a grand entry lobby, national championship displays, a team gym and locker rooms for both men's and women's teams, a fueling station, study lounge, team lounge, indoor hitting bays and more. Designed by Sun Devil alumnus and five-time PGA Major Championships winner Phil Mickelson, who is known for his short-game expertise, the four-acre practice area consists of five practice greens, four practice bunkers and a three-acre fairway and rough designed to practice every possible golf shot. On Nov. 1, 2018, Papago Golf Course became the new home for Sun Devil Men's & Women's Golf with the unveiling of their new state-of-the-art practice facility -- The Thunderbirds Golf Complex -- through the generous commitment by The Thunderbirds organization. Arizona State, in partnership with The Thunderbirds, Arizona Golf Community Foundation, the City of Phoenix and Phil Mickelson Design, revitalized the course and helped build the Lou Grubb Clubhouse and Lou's Bar & Grill.
HOW TO FOLLOW
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com). Find Coach Farr-Kaye (@missymkaye) and Coach Tatman (@CoachMikayla_) on Twitter as well.
COACH'S CORNER
"This Fall was a tremendous opportunity to grow as a team," Coach Farr-Kaye observed. "All six of our student-athletes have been working extremely hard to improve their game. We had some strong moments over the past few months and look forward to building on that."
"The best has yet to come for this group," Coach Farr-Kaye added. "It is exciting that our fans have a couple chances in the state of Arizona to watch us play, because you are going to have the chance to see some exciting golf. Coach Tatman and I are encouraged by the attitude of the team and optimistic for the Spring season."
ARIZONA STATE WOMEN'S GOLF SCHEDULE
McGuire Invitational – Sept. 11-12 (Albuquerque, NM)
Mason Rudolph Invitational – Sept. 22-24 (Franklin, TN)
Windy City Collegiate Classic – Oct. 2-3 (Chicago, IL)
Stanford Intercollegiate – Oct. 20-22 (Palo Alto, CA)
Match in the Desert – January 22 (Gold Canyon, AZ)
Therese Hession Regional Challenge – Feb. 4-6 (Palos Verdes, CA)
Duel in the Desert (vs. Denver) – Feb. 25 (Phoenix, AZ)
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate – March 4-6 (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational – March 17-19 (Honolulu, HI)
PING/ASU Invitational – March 28-30 (Phoenix, AZ) - HOSTED BY ASU
Pac-12 Championship – April 21-23 (Pullman, WA)
NCAA Regionals – May 6-8 (Auburn/Cle Elum/College State/East Lansing/Las Vegas/Winston-Salem)
NCAA Championship – May 17-22 (La Costa, CA; Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Champions Course)
UP NEXT...
SPRING SEASON
Match in the Desert – January 22 (Gold Canyon, AZ)
The Sun Devils will make their first appearance in the state of Arizona when they travel to Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club for the Match in the Desert. Arizona State will enter the event having won four of the past five titles. This will be the first opportunity for fans to check out the Maroon & Gold in action. Kansas will host for the third consecutive year, with the tournament taking place on one day. In the 2023 version, Arizona State (-11/277) overcame cold weather and a frost delay, maintaining their focus on their way to delivering a spectacular round in their home state. Ashley Menne birdied her first hole which set the tone for what would become an eight-birdie round, matching a career-low 65 (-7) in the process. She was named Co-Champion of the event after finishing tied with UCLA's Caroline Canales. Arizona State matched the sixth-lowest team score vs. par in program history on their way to a second-place finish at the Match in the Desert. The 277 (-11) was just one stroke shy of eventual team champion UCLA, as ASU finished ahead of Top-25 teams Baylor and Arizona.
Therese Hession Regional Challenge – Feb. 4-6 (Palos Verdes, CA)
The former Northrup Grumman Regional Challenge was renamed in honor legendary women's golf coach Therese Hession in 2022. This will be Arizona State's first appearance in the event since 2020. The 29th edition of the event will be held at Palos Verdes Golf Club, a place Coach Farr-Kaye is very familiar with. Back in 2020, Olivia Mehaffey (-5/208) put together three consecutive rounds under par on her way to a second-place finish. She continued her dominance of the Palos Verdes Golf Club, earning silver in a loaded field less than a year after capturing the 2019 Pac-12 Championship at the same location. The Maroon & Gold (-2/282) finished on a high note, putting together the third best round of the final day. Overall, the Sun Devils finished in fifth place in a field with eight of the Top-10 teams in the country and 12 members of the Top-25.
ASU has won the Regional Challenge team title twice (2006, 2009) and has had an individual medalist four times (Juliana Murcia in 2009, Carlota Ciganda in 2011, Monica Vaughn in 2016, Olivia Mehaffey in 2018).
Duel in the Desert (vs. Denver) – Feb. 25 (Phoenix, AZ)
Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye announced in November that Arizona State will compete in an event with Denver on February 25. The one-day, stroke-play event will take place at Papago Golf Club with Denver serving as the host school. Sun Devil fans now have a third opportunity to watch the Maroon & Gold in the state of Arizona.
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate – March 4-6 (Hilton Head Island, SC)
For the third consecutive year, Sun Devil Women's Golf will be featured in one of the top collegiate events of the season, the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate. It will once again be aired live on GOLF Channel from Long Cove Club, with the nation's top teams getting exposure on a national scale. Arizona State represented themselves extremely well on national television as a part of the only televised regular season women's collegiate golf tournament on GOLF Channel. At an event featuring 16 of the Top-46 and 14 of the Top-32 teams in the latest Golfstat rankings, Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye's team finished in sixth. Four of the five teams that finished ahead of them are ranked in the Top-10.
Three Sun Devils finished in the Top-25 of the individual race, led by Ashley Menne. Menne had the best round of any Sun Devil throughout the three days, delivering a 69 (-2). She made a jump up the standings for the second consecutive day, eventually finishing in a tie for 13th. Not far behind was Paula Schulz-Hanssen, who continued her strong play by finishing tied for 16th. Beth Coulter was the third Sun Devil in the Top-25 in a field that boasted 23 of the Top-52 and 41 of the Top-100 golfers in the latest Golfstat rankings. This event ended up being a preview of the NCAA Championship last year, with the nation's top ranked teams getting significant media coverage and attention.
Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational – March 17-19 (Honolulu, HI)
Arizona State returns to the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational for the first time since 2019. This will be the 38th edition of the tournament hosted by the University of Hawaii at Hoakalei Country Club. Back in 2020, the No. 3-ranked Sun Devils proved they were in a different class compared to the rest of the field, cruising to a 19-stroke win while posting what was then the sixth lowest total vs. par over 54 holes in program history. To put the Sun Devils total of 852 (-12) into perspective, no other team finished below par, including 12 of the 16 teams finishing 886 (+22) or worse.
In addition to the team title, future All-American Linn Grant (-7/209) took home Individual Medalist honors, capturing the first win of her illustrious collegiate career. She was tested on her way to claiming the crown, showing she can respond to pressure. After tying through 54 holes, Grant would come out on top of a five-hole playoff with TCU's Sabrina Iqbal thanks to a clutch birdie. Arizona State not only took home the 2011 Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational team title, former All-American and current LPGA standout Carlota Ciganda captured individual medalist honors.
PING/ASU Invitational – March 28-30 (Tempe, AZ - Papago Golf Club)
The Sun Devils make their second appearance in the state as they host the annual PING/ASU Invitational at Papago Golf Club. Several of the nation's top teams will once again take part in one of the most historic collegiate golf tournaments. This will be the 51st edition of the PING/ASU Invitational, with the first 45 being held at Karsten Golf Course and the past five taking place at Papago Golf Club. Arizona State has won the most event titles, claiming the team championship at PING/ASU an incredible 22 times. This included the 2021 & 2022 editions.
The Maroon & Gold also boast the most individual medalists in tournament history, with Sun Devils earning the crown 17 times. This includes Alexandra Forsterling in 2022. Forsterling (-9/207) had to beat out current senior Ashley Menne for the title, as Arizona State finished 1-2 in the final player standings.
POSTSEASON
Pac-12 Championship – April 21-23 (Pullman, WA)
Washington State will have difficult shoes to fill as they follow Arizona State as the host of the Pac-12 Women's Golf Championship. Papago Golf Course received rave reviews as the hosts of the 2023 edition. In 2024, Palouse Ridge Golf Club plays host for the final conference championship with all 12 teams involved. No team has enjoyed more success at the Pac-10/12 Women's Golf Championships than Arizona State. Their 13 individual champions are six more than any other team, while their eight team championships are tied for first. Most recently, Olivia Mehaffey claimed the 2019 Individual Championship by coming back from four strokes down on the final day. The Sun Devils last one as a team back in 2009 on their way to the program's seventh of eight NCAA Championships, with Coach Farr-Kaye serving as an Assistant Coach that year.
Legendary Sun Devil Women's Golf Head Coach Linda Vollstedt could be considered the queen of the Pac-10/12 Championships. Her teams won it a total of six times, including the first two in 1987 & 1988. Later in her career, Arizona State ran off four straight titles during their dominant run in the mid-90s, a feat that has never been matched since. ASU has three Top-3 finishes at the conference championships under Coach Farr-Kaye, finishing third in 2016, 2019, and 2021.
NCAA Regionals – May 6-8 (Auburn/Cle Elum/College State/East Lansing/Las Vegas/Winston-Salem)
Arizona State has qualified for NCAA Regionals every year since it was instituted in 1992. If they do so again in 2024, they will travel to one of the following six sites. A total of 72 teams are selected to the NCAA Regionals, with 12 teams making each regional. ASU would need to finish in the Top-4 of their regional to advance to the NCAA Championship. Here are the six regional locations:
- Auburn, Alabama – Auburn University Club
- Cle Elum, Washington – Tumblecreek Club
- College Station, Texas – Traditions Club
- East Lansing, Michigan – Forest Akers Golf Course
- Las Vegas, Nevada – Spanish Trail Country Club
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Bermuda Run Country Club – East Course
NCAA Championship – May 17-22 (La Costa, CA; Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Champions Course)
For the first time since 2019, the NCAA Women's Golf Championship will not be at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, as Arizona State's extremely successful three-year run as a host has come to an end. The 2024 NCAA Women's Golf Championship will take place near San Diego at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Champions Course. Should they advance from a Regional, Sun Devil Women's Golf will attempt to win the program's NCAA record ninth national championship. Missy Farr-Kaye was in charge the last time that ASU won a title, defeating Northwestern at Rich Harvest Farms in Chicago for the 2017 NCAA Women's Golf Championship. The program also brought home NCAA titles in 2009, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1993, and 1990.
2023-24 CAMPAIGN
Arizona State has been tested throughout the 2023 season as Coach Farr-Kaye built one of the nation's toughest slates once again. The Maroon and Gold will compete in a total of nine regular season events in 2023-24, having completed four in the Fall with five remaining in the Spring. The postseason begins April 21 at the Pac-12 Championship, with NCAA Regionals and NCAA Championships scheduled for the month of May.
FALL RECAP
MCGUIRE INVITATIONAL (SEPT. 11-12)
Arizona State finished in third place in their return to the McGuire Invitational, beating out 13 teams in the initial event of the 2023-24 campaign. It was a balanced effort that helped the Sun Devils to an impressive performance over the two days, as four individuals finished in the Top-20. Ashley Menne led the way for the Maroon & Gold, appearing to be in mid-season form on her way to a sixth place finish. Grace Summerhays put together a strong effort in order to tie for 14th. Patience Rhodes and Paula Schulz-Hanssen joined them in the Top-20, with the pair finishing tied for 17th. All six Sun Devils earned valuable experience that will be critical for the rest of the 2023-24 season.
MASON RUDOLPH INVITATIONAL (SEPT. 22-24)
Arizona State (-13/851) finished in fourth place as a team after posting a 285 (-3), moving two spots up the leaderboard on the final day of the Mason Rudolph Invitational in September. The Maroon & Gold were the top finishing non-SEC team at the tournament played in the footprint of the league, as Coach Farr-Kaye's team proved to be able to handle the change in geography. The Mason Rudolph Invitational featured 11 teams ranked inside GOLF Channel's preseason Top-35 and ASU beat out seven of them this weekend.
The Sun Devils were led by sophomore Paula Schulz-Hanssen, who was fantastic on her way to a Top-5 finish. She completed the Mason Rudolph Invitational at 209 (-7), capping the event with a 69 (-3) to move into a tie for fifth. She was joined by Beth Coulter (T16th) and Grace Summerhays (T20th) in the Top-20 of a loaded individual field.
WINDY CITY COLLEGIATE (OCT. 2-3)
Sun Devil Women's Golf returned to the Windy City Collegiate Classic, playing three rounds in two days. Arizona State continued their ascent up the leaderboard, climbing an additional two spots thanks to a solid final round. Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye's group shot a 288 (E) on the last day to move into a tie for 10th. The only teams to finish ahead of the Maroon & Gold other than host Northwestern entered the event in the Golfweek Top-30. Ashley Menne and Patience Rhodes led the way individually, each solidifying Top-20 finishes after carding a 70 (-2) in round three.
STANFORD INTERCOLLEGIATE (OCT. 20-22)
Sun Devil Women's Golf completed the Fall portion of the 2023-24 campaign at the Stanford Intercollegiate. Arizona State finished in seventh place out of 19 teams in a loaded field at Stanford Golf Course. Ashley Menne led the way individually, earning a spot in the Top-25 among a field of 100 golfers. Patience Rhodes enjoyed the best day of any Sun Devil, firing a 69 (-2) to move 15 spots up the leaderboard and into the Top-30. All five Sun Devils enjoyed stretches of strong play during the Fall, giving Sun Devil Women's Golf fans plenty to be excited about heading into the Spring. Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye's team will now enjoy a two month break before taking on their Spring schedule, which begins on January 22nd in Gold Canyon, Arizona for the Match in the Desert.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Ashley Menne
23-24 Low Round: 67 (-4)
23-24 Best Finish: 6
Birdies: 41
4 TOURNAMENTS/12 ROUNDS/71.2 STROKE AVERAGE
2 ROUND IN 60S/8 ROUNDS OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 31
Career Top-20 Finishes: 21
Grace Summerhays
23-24 Low Round: 70 (-2)
23-24Best Finish: T14
Birdies: 40
4 TOURNAMENTS/12 ROUNDS/72.9 STROKE AVERAGE
0 ROUNDS IN 60S/4 ROUNDS OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 22
Career Top-20 Finishes: 10
Calynne Rosholt
23-24 Low Round: 69 (-3)
23-24 Best Finish: T46
Birdies: 23
3 TOURNAMENTS/9 ROUNDS/73.9 STROKE AVERAGE
1 ROUND IN 60S/2 ROUND OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 24
Career Top-20 Finishes: 10
Paula Schulz-Hanssen
23-24 Low Round: 67 (-5)
23-24 Best Finish: T5
Birdies: 40
4 TOURNAMENTS/12 ROUNDS/72.1 STROKE AVERAGE
2 ROUNDS IN 60S/6 ROUNDS OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 14
Career Top-20 Finishes: 7
Beth Coulter
23-24 Low Round: 69 (-3)
23-24 Best Finish: T16
Birdies: 36
3 TOURNAMENTS/9 ROUNDS/72.3 STROKE AVERAGE
2 ROUNDS IN 60S/4 ROUNDS OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 14
Career Top-20 Finishes: 5
Patience Rhodes
23-24 Low Round: 68 (-4)
23-24 Best Finish: T17
Birdies: 40
3 TOURNAMENTS/9 ROUNDS/72.1 STROKE AVERAGE
1 ROUND IN 60S/4 ROUNDS OF PAR OR BETTER
Career Appearances: 4
Career Top-20 Finishes: 2
ELITE COMPANY
The Sun Devils are one of just eight Division I Women's Golf teams to earn a spot at NCAA Regionals every year for the past 30 seasons. Only traditional powers Arizona State, Arizona, Duke, Florida, Stanford, USC, UCLA and Wake Forest have qualified for a regional each time since the postseason format changed in 1993. Arizona State is one of three programs to have earned a Top-2 seed at a NCAA Regional in each of the last three NCAA Championships. The Sun Devils are joined by Wake Forest and South Carolina on this exclusive list.
A TRADITION LIKE NO OTHER
During the past five decades, many of the premier amateur women's golfers have called Arizona State University home. Arizona State won its NCAA-leading eighth national championship title in 2017 to reinforce its standing as the premier women's golf school in the United States. Under legendary Head Coach Linda Vollstedt, the program became the first in women's collegiate golf to win six championships in a decade (1990, '93, '94, '95, '97, '98). ASU remains the lone program to ever capture three national titles in a row (1993, '94, '95). The Sun Devil Golf programs did something in 1990 that had never been done before and hasn't been accomplished since. ASU swept both the Men's and Women's Team National Titles in 1990, becoming the first school to capture both championships in the same year.
HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL
Sun Devil Athletics was thrilled to extend four of its head coaches over the Christmas holiday, including Women's Golf Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye. Currently in her eighth year with ASU, Farr-Kaye has been extended through the 2027-28 athletic calendar. She completed the trifecta in 2017, becoming the first individual in NCAA history to win a National Championship as a player, assistant coach, and head coach at the same school.
THE BIRD
The Thunderbirds Golf Complex, designed by Douglas Fredrickson Architects and built by Rummel Construction Inc., is a 7,000-square foot facility featuring a grand entry lobby, national championship displays, a team gym and locker rooms for both men's and women's teams, a fueling station, study lounge, team lounge, indoor hitting bays and more. Designed by Sun Devil alumnus and five-time PGA Major Championships winner Phil Mickelson, who is known for his short-game expertise, the four-acre practice area consists of five practice greens, four practice bunkers and a three-acre fairway and rough designed to practice every possible golf shot. On Nov. 1, 2018, Papago Golf Course became the new home for Sun Devil Men's & Women's Golf with the unveiling of their new state-of-the-art practice facility -- The Thunderbirds Golf Complex -- through the generous commitment by The Thunderbirds organization. Arizona State, in partnership with The Thunderbirds, Arizona Golf Community Foundation, the City of Phoenix and Phil Mickelson Design, revitalized the course and helped build the Lou Grubb Clubhouse and Lou's Bar & Grill.
HOW TO FOLLOW
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com). Find Coach Farr-Kaye (@missymkaye) and Coach Tatman (@CoachMikayla_) on Twitter as well.