Kaua’i, Hawaii – Kennesaw State’s women’s golf team struggled a bit at the Rainbow Wahine Invitational, finishing the first round in 14th place with a score of 9-over par, or 297. The competition took place at the Ocean Course Hokuala.
Freshman Ariana Silva shined for the Owls, finishing with a 1-over par 73. She recorded one of the day’s two eagles on Hole 10 and is currently in 29th place overall. The team was among just two schools, alongside Baylor, to achieve multiple eagles during the round.
Close on her heels was Nyah Kelly, who finished 2-over par, earning four birdies and landing in 40th place.
Three other Owls—Jackie Jang, Sabrina Kim, and Alessandra Nagayo—all shot 3-over par and tied for 57th place. Both Jang and Kim managed four birdies, while Nagayo maintained a solid round with 12 pars and two birdies.
Hannah Cheryl Alan, competing as an individual, ended the day with a score of 6-over par, which included the Owls’ second eagle of the day on Hole 6. Natasha Korman and Ladina Luder both finished 7-over par, tying for 93rd place.
Players will be back on the course Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. HT (3:30 p.m. ET) for the second round. The tournament wraps up on Wednesday with a 9 a.m. HT (3 p.m. ET) shotgun start.
The growth of women’s golf in competitive settings like this illustrates trends in the sport. Recent studies reveal that participation in women’s sports, including golf, has increased significantly over the past decade, reflecting a broader acceptance and promotion of women in athletics. Expert opinions suggest that such tournaments not only boost players’ skills but also inspire future generations.
For more updates on the Kennesaw State women’s golf team, follow them on Twitter at @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsWmnsGolf, or check out their Facebook page here.