Nov. 18, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s golf program has signed Nanna Madsen and Ainhoa Olarra to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, head coach Kalen Harris announced Monday.

Madsen and Olarra, both international recruits, will join the Gamecocks for the 2014-15 season.

“We’re very excited to welcome Nanna Madsen from Denmark and Ainhoa Olarra from Spain to our squad,” said Harris. “We’re getting a pair of international players which should add some excitement to our team. Both [Madsen and Olarra] are very experienced playing all over the world and bring a great resume of international experience. Both players won professional events as amateurs this past summer. We’re very excited about both players, they’re going to bring an exciting punch to our squad and add even more depth to what we already have.”

Class of 2014 South Carolina Women’s Golf Signees

Nanna Madsen – Smørumnedre, Kobenhavn, Denmark

Accomplishments:

• Ranked 29^th in World Amateur Golf Rankings
• Ranked 9^th in European Amateur Rankings
• Member of the Danish National Team
• 2013 British Ladies Amateur Championship Stroke Play Medalist with rounds of 69 and 72
• 2013 European Club Trophy Champion, finished with a 17-under 197
• 2013 A6 Ladies Open Champion with a round 66. This was a professional event Madsen played as an amateur.
• 2013 Danish Women’s Stroke Play Champion
• Represented Denmark in the 2013 European Women’s Team Championship and the 2012 European Girls Team Championship
• 2012 Danish Women’s Match Play Champion

Harris on Madsen: “Nanna Madsen brings a very steady game, a game that’s going to bring some excitement and very low numbers.”

Ainhoa Olarra – San Sebastián, Pais Vasco, Spain

Accomplishments:

• Ranked 95^th in World Amateur Golf Rankings
• Ranked 25^th in European Amateur Rankings
• Member of the Spanish National Team
• 2013 Spanish Ladies Professional Championship, Olarra won this even as an amateur
• Claimed first place at the 2013 Spanish Ladies Amateur Championship
• Third Place at the 2013 European Club Trophy Championship with rounds of 66-69-72
• One of six girls to represent Spain at the European Girls’ Team Championship in 2012, 2011 and 2102. Team claimed third place at the 2013 UEFA European Under 18
• 2012 Grand Prix des Landes Champion with rounds or 69-72-69-69
• First place at the 2012 Spanish National Team Championship with rounds of 69-68-71

Harris on Olarra: “Ainhoa Olarra is very feisty. She’s going to bring a lot of spirit and energy to the team.”