DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., and KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii – The UCLA women’s golf team will compete in the inaugural Nanea Cup at Nanea Golf Club in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, March 11-14, 2027, the LPGA Tour announced Tuesday.
The innovative event will feature the world's top LPGA Tour professionals alongside elite collegiate golfers in a first-of-its-kind competition celebrating both the present and future of women's golf.
“It’s an honor to be part of the inaugural Nanea Cup,” UCLA women’s golf head coach Alicia Um Holmes said. “The opportunity for our Bruins to compete alongside the best golfers in the world at such a beautiful course, while also being part of a nationally televised LPGA event, is truly special. We’re incredibly grateful to the tournament sponsors, LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler, Nanea co-founder George Roberts and Stanford head coach Anne Walker for creating this unique opportunity.”
Building on Nanea Golf Club's longstanding commitment to women's collegiate golf through the annual Nanea Invitational, the Nanea Cup will pair the world's best LPGA Tour athletes with elite collegiate golfers in a unique competitive format. Golf Channel will televise all four rounds.
UCLA has been a regular participant in the Nanea Invitational over the past decade, winning the tournament three times (2015, 2017 and 2024). Golfers Bronte Law (2013), Alison Lee (2014) and Zoe Antoinette Campos (2024) each medaled at the event.
UCLA's complete 2026-27 schedule will be announced at a later date.
Tournament Format
The field will feature 95 LPGA Tour athletes and 25 of the nation’s top collegiate golfers representing five universities, including Stanford, Texas, Arkansas, Texas A&M and UCLA. The professional and collegiate competitions will be contested concurrently, creating a unique opportunity for the world’s best LPGA Tour athletes and emerging collegiate talent to compete on the same stage.
All competitors will play the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday. Following Friday’s round, the field will be cut to the low 50 players and ties. Collegiate players who do not make the cut will still complete their third and final round on Saturday to determine the collegiate team champion, while those who make the cut will also advance to Sunday’s final round alongside LPGA Tour athletes.
Bruins on the LPGA Tour
UCLA has produced 30 LPGA Tour players and counting. Seven former Bruins have combined to win 13 LPGA Tour titles, including three major championships. Nine Bruins are currently competing on the LPGA Tour, three of whom are ranked inside the top 100 of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. That group includes major champions Lilia Vu and Patty Tavatanakit, as well as Alison Lee.