ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Grand Canyon freshman Alexis Vakasiuola took in the sights and practiced the course that will be called home for the next three days. The freshman golfer begins her first round of competition tomorrow at the NCAA Ann Arbor Regional at the University of Michigan Golf Course.
Vakasiuola is the first Lope to compete at the NCAA Regional Tournament since Siripatsorn Patchana in 2022.
Located in the heart of campus and a mere 200 yards from The Big House, The University of Michigan Golf Course will play at 6,260 yards and a par 71.
Ranked No. 172 in the nation among 1,600 plus golfers, Vakasiuola is the eighth highest ranked freshman in a field of 12 teams and 66 total golfers. Her national ranking was high enough for her to earn an at-large bid after a tied for third finish at the Mountain West Championship April 23-25.
Eight of the 12 teams are nationally ranked via the Clippd Scoreboard Rankings, led by No. 2 Southern California. Other top 25 schools include No. 10 Duke, No. 14 UCF and No. 23 Oklahoma.
But Vakasiuola’s path to advance to the National Championship in Carlsbad, California, will be on her individual play. The individual winner, who is not a part of the five qualifying teams to make it out of the regional, will earn a spot to Carlsbad May 22-27.
Example being, if Vakasiuola were to finish 13th, but the 12 other golfers ahead of her are a part of the five advancing teams, she would see herself move on to the national stage.
Vakasiuola will be paired with Michigan’s Lauren Sung and UIndy’s Yanah Rolston. Play begins at 9:50 AM ET/6:50 AM PT at hole number 10.
For the first time ever, every NCAA Women’s Golf Regional will be livestreamed thanks to BabyGrande Golf, giving fans access to all six regional sites, including coverage from the U-M Golf Course. Live and on-demand viewing packages are available at BabygrandeGolf.com, with Round Passes starting at $14.99 and Full Regional access available for $29.99. Live stream link here.