Catherine Park and USC Women’s Golf Pick Up Opening Weekend Victory

Women’s Golf | September 17, 2024

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. – Junior Catherine Park picked up her fourth career win (tied for fifth most in program history) and helped lead USC to its second straight season-opener win as it took home the Leadership and Golf Invitational team title on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Chambers Bay G.C. in University Place, Wash.

Park put herself amongst elite company, as she is now sixth in program history with four wins alongside Trojan alums Denise Strebig. The junior pulled off this feat with a hot start in the third round, birding three of the first six holes before carding a 68 (-4) on the tournament’s final day. Park finished out eight-under-par with a 67-73-68 in the tournament. 

The Trojans have won two straight opening weekend tournaments for the first time since the 2016-17 & 2017-18 seasons. USC entered the season as the No. 2 team in several preseason polls and showcased that as it wrapped up the Leadership and Golf Invitational with a nine-stroke victory. 

Sophomore Bailey Shoemaker also had a big afternoon, as she produced her fourth career top-ten finish. Shoemaker put together two straight rounds under par as she went 73-70-70 for the tournament. She went on a run to end it, as she was four-under par on the back nine of round three to counteract her two bogeys and one double on the front.

Rounding out the rest of the lineup was freshman Jasmine Koo and senior Xin (Cindy) Kou. Koo was two-over par in the final round, leading to a two-over-par finish. In her debut, the freshman picked up her first career top-25 finish. Kou was also top 25 with a 22nd finish; this is the 15th time she has recorded a top 25 placement in her career. After fighting to stay at Even par yesterday, Kou ended up four-over par for the tournament. 

Freshman Kylie Chong wrapped up the lineup as she was seven over on the day and ended up 14-over par. 

The Women of Troy head into the season’s second tournament with the Windy City Collegiate Classic starting Monday, Sept. 30, through Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Westmoreland C.C. in Wilmette, Ill. 

For more information on the USC women’s golf team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Trojans can follow the team on Instagram and on X @USCWomensGolf.

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