As the collegiate golf season nears its close, the spotlight turns to one of the most prestigious honors in women’s college golf: the ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel. Named after golf legend Annika Sörenstam, the award celebrates the top female collegiate golfer of the year—an athlete whose performance, sportsmanship and impact on the game have set her apart. What makes this honor even more meaningful is its unique selection process, with votes cast by fellow college golfers, coaches and members of the college golf media, ensuring that the winner is truly recognized by the game’s most invested voices.
A testament to the American Junior Golf Association's mission, every recipient of the ANNIKA Award to date has been an alumna of the AJGA, highlighting the organization's vital role in DEVELOPING GOLF’S NEXT GENERATION®. That tradition continues in 2025, with five of the 10 players on the Final ANNIKA Award Watch List representing AJGA alumnae.
AJGA Alumnae on the Final ANNIKA Award Watch List
Kary Hollenbaugh of New Albany, Ohio (2022)
- Junior, Ohio State University
- Rolex Junior All-American
- Three-time AJGA champion
Maria Jose Marin of Cali Valle, Colombia (2023)
- Sophomore, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
- 2021 Junior All-Star Team Member
- Two-time AJGA champion
Jasmine Koo of Cerritos, California (2024)
- Freshman, University of Southern California
- Four-time Rolex Junior All-American
- Four-time AJGA champion
- 2023 PING Junior Solheim Cup Team Member
Meja Ortengren of Stockholm, Sweden (2024)
- Freshman, Stanford University
- 2021 and 2023 PING Junior Solheim Cup Team Member
- Two-time champion of the Rolex Tournament of Champions
Kiara Romero of San Jose, California (2023)
- Sophomore, University of Oregon
- Four-time Rolex Junior All-American
- AJGA champion
Past recipients of the ANNIKA Award
- Ingrid Lindblad (2024)
- Rose Zhang (2022, 2023)
- Rachel Heck (2021)
- Natalie Srinivasan (2020)
- Maria Fassi (2018, 2019)
- Bronte Law (2016)
- Leona Maguire (2015, 2017)
- Alison Lee (2014)