Muzi, Kaye Go Named Ambassadors for ANNIKA Development Program at Old Barnwell

ORLANDO, Fla. – Graduate transfer Katherine Muzi and former All-American Lois Kaye Go were announced as two of four members in the inaugural class of ambassadors for the ANNIKA Development Program at Old Barnwell Club (Aiken, S.C.) today.

The program, which was announced in December 2022, furthers the foundation’s mission to provide opportunities for women to excel in both golf and life by providing an opportunity for a select group of up-and-coming golfers who are no longer NCAA eligible to continue their pursuit of a professional career.

The inaugural class includes Muzi, Kaye Go, UNC’s Krista Junkkari and Lauren Walsh from Wake Forest. All four women were selected not only for their golfing talent and skill, but they also have demonstrated exceptional leadership, personal character and dedication throughout their college careers. Each ambassador has proven to be an outstanding athlete, role model and leader.

Kaye Go was a four-year starter for the Gamecocks from 2017-21 after transferring in from Boston College. She was a three-time All-American and finished her career with the second lowest all-time scoring average (72.99) in program history. The Cebu City, Philippines, native was a four-time WGCA All-American Scholar and was selected as the 2021 NCAA Elite 90 winner, given to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA participating at the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship.

Muzi will wrap-up her one season as a Gamecock next week at the NCAA Championship in Scottsdale, Ariz. She spent four seasons at Southern Cal (2018-22) before coming to Columbia, graduating with a degree in business administration last spring. Muzi has played in eight stroke play events and a pair of all match play events so far this season for Carolina, logging a 74.57 scoring average, five rounds of par or better and one top-20 finish.

Through the program, each ambassador will have access to practice and play at Old Barnwell while also receiving training from its professional staff. They also will receive housing for the first year of the program and a $10,000 per year stipend to cover tournament fees and travel. Annika will act as a mentor to each of the women throughout their time in the development program.

As part of their residency, the program ambassadors will play and interact with club members and participate in an ANNIKA Foundation “Share My Passion” clinic for young girls.

“We are thrilled to welcome these four young women to the ANNIKA Development Program and are excited to see such talent as part of the program’s first year,” said Annika Sorenstam, founder of the ANNIKA Foundation. “We believe they have the potential to become exceptional golfers and leaders in their communities, and we look forward to supporting them as they pursue their dreams.”

“At Old Barnwell, our mission is to bring people together through golf, and that includes creating programs that empower, invite, and celebrate people and communities historically underrepresented in the sport,” said Nick Schreiber, founder of Old Barnwell. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Annika and the ANNIKA Foundation and cannot wait to see what these four young women will achieve on and off the course.”

Nestled on 575 acres of sandy soil and rolling hills surrounded by towering longleaf and loblolly pines, Old Barnwell is a private national club near historic Aiken, South Carolina opening in 2023. The club exists to celebrate all that’s exciting, affirming, and joyful about golf, with a modern approach that serves all kind of players, families, boon companions, and connoisseurs of the game.

Each year going forward, four young women will be selected to participate. These individuals must be a recent graduate of a four-year college golf program in South Carolina, North Carolina or Georgia, or a resident of one of those states who recently graduated from a four-year college golf program. A selection committee vets applicants and then conducts finalists interviews.

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