For the first time, the 38th annual Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational from March 17 to March 19, the University of Hawai‘i’s storied women’s golf tournament, will move from O‘ahu to Kaua‘i. Hawai‘i’s “Garden Isle” will host 15 teams from 12 states on the Ocean Course at Hōkūala.
The Ocean Course at Hōkūala is part of Timbers Kaua‘i, a beautiful 450-acre resort property surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Kalapaki Bay and Hā‘upu Mountain Range.
In 1999, the Rainbow Wahine Invitational was renamed in honor of the University of Hawai‘i’s first women’s athletic director, Dr. Donnis Thompson, who was introduced into Hawai‘i’s Sports Circle of Honor in 1988 for her numerous contributions to UH Athletics. Notable individual champions include Annika Sorenstam (Arizona, 1991 and ’92), Janice Moodie (San Jose State, 1994 and ’97), Krissie Register (Arizona, 1996 and ’99) and Kim Welch (Washington State, 1994 and ’95). Of the 32 individual medalists, five have successfully defended their titles the following year.
“After hosting college golf’s top men in last month’s Burns Intercollegiate, we are excited to welcome the women to our humble slice of paradise,” said Tom Freestone, PGA General Manager, Ocean Course at Hōkūala. “We know that players, coaches, and fans alike will quickly embrace Hōkūala’s quality conditioning, incredible scenery, and gracious aloha.”
2024 TEAMS
Arizona State
Boise State
Fresno State
Hawai‘i
Long Beach State
Mercer
Morehead State
New Mexico
North Carolina
Rutgers
Sacramento State
San Francisco
Texas State
Tulane
Washington.
THE FIELD
Recently, the Sun Devils were red-hot against a deep field, defeating 11 of the top 25 teams in the country to win the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate.
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In October 2023, the Tar Heels won the inaugural St. Andrews Links Collegiate on the famed Old Course. Their victory in last month’s UCF Challenge (Orlando, Florida) over an 18-team field was their second team championship in as many starts.
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Two-time defending champion Sacramento State seeks their third straight Dr. Donnis Thompson Intercollegiate title. The Hornets will fly high to Kaua‘i after capturing last month’s Causeway Invitational (Sacramento, California).
INDIVIDUALS
Washington senior Camille Boyd is projected to be the top-ranked player at Hōkūala. The two-time collegiate winner will arrive on Kaua‘i after tying for first place in last week’s Juli Inkster Meadow Club Intercollegiate (Fairfax, California).
Boyd is currently ranked No. 69 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's Rankings.
Boyd’s Huskie teammate, senior Stefanie Deng, won the Lady Bulldog Invitational in January. Arizona State’s Ashley Menne, a three-time Arizona Women’s Amateur Champion, aims to cap off her senior season with a historic feat: becoming just the fourth four-time All-American in program history.
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Twin sisters Jasmine and Janae Leovao will tee it up for Long Beach State. Jasmine earned 2022-23 Big West Freshman of the Year honors after qualifying for last year’s NCAA postseason. O‘ahu native and Hawai‘i Pacific University junior transfer, Kellie Yamane, will look to lead the Hawai‘i Rainbow Wahine in her home state.
Press release courtesy of Pate Clarson of the Ocean Course at Hōkūala.
ABOUT THE Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational
54-hole women's college
tournament hosted by the
University of Hawaii. Team (best four scores
out of five
players each round) and individual
competitions.
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