USC Women’s Golf Heads to Palm Desert with Eyes on the Prize
The No. 2-ranked USC women’s golf team is back in action this week, heading to Palm Desert for the Alice and John Wallace Women’s Golf Classic, hosted by Long Beach State at Monterey Country Club. The three-day event runs from February 14-16, with one round scheduled each day on the par-71, 6,108-yard layout.
Shotgun starts begin at 8:00 a.m. PT daily.
This isn’t just another early-season tune-up - it’s a loaded field that includes No. 10 Vanderbilt, No.
11 UCLA, and a host of other competitive programs like California, San Jose State, and Washington. In total, 17 teams will tee it up, making this one of the more stacked non-conference events on the calendar.
Trojans Rolling Deep
USC will send out a strong lineup, headlined by a mix of seasoned veterans and rising underclassmen:
- Catherine Park
- Kylie Chong
- Elise Lee
- Bailey Shoemaker
- Jasmine Koo
- Sarah Hammett (Individual)
- Chloe Kim (Individual)
Each player will begin their round at 8:00 a.m. PT, spread across holes 1, 2, 3, and 18 in the shotgun start format.
Ranking Watch
The Trojans are well-represented in the national individual rankings:
- Elise Lee - No. 23
- Jasmine Koo - No. 31
- Catherine Park - No. 36
- Kylie Chong - No. 58
- Sarah Hammett - No. 235
And that’s not just window dressing - this group has been producing on the course. Let’s break down what each Trojan brings into Palm Desert.
Catherine Park: The Steady Senior
The lone senior on USC’s roster, Park enters her final spring season with a résumé that speaks volumes: three-time All-American, four career wins (tied for third-most in program history), and a reputation for consistency. At the Therese Hession Regional Challenge earlier this month, Park showed her trademark resilience, improving each round and closing with a 70 (-1). She may not have finished near the top that week, but her ability to trend in the right direction is exactly what you'd expect from a veteran leader.
Kylie Chong: Trending Up
Chong is coming off a strong showing at the Hession Challenge, where she climbed 20 spots on the final day to finish T-23. Like Park, she improved each round - a sign that she’s adjusting quickly and finishing strong.
That was her fifth career top-25 finish and fourth of the season. With three rounds in the 60s already this year, Chong is proving she’s more than capable of going low when it counts.
Elise Lee: The Quiet Force
Sophomore Elise Lee might not always grab headlines, but her numbers speak for themselves. She’s been USC’s model of consistency this season, finishing in the top 25 in all five tournaments so far.
At the Hession Challenge, she tied for 19th and matched her season-low with a 68 (-3) in round two - tied for the best Trojan round of the event. Her 70.88 stroke average leads the team, and she’s quickly becoming one of the most reliable players in the lineup.
Bailey Shoemaker: Making a Statement
Shoemaker made her season debut at the Hession Challenge and wasted no time making an impact. She led the Trojans with a T-12 finish and fired a 68 (-3) in round two - matching the low round of the tournament for USC. That’s tied for the third-lowest round of her collegiate career, and it’s a strong sign that she’s ready to be a major contributor this spring.
Jasmine Koo: Bounce-Back Mode
Koo, the highest-ranked Trojan in the Scoreboard rankings, is looking to rebound after a 63rd-place finish at the Hession Challenge. But don’t let that result fool you - she regrouped nicely with a 73 and 72 in the final two rounds. Her 71.36 stroke average ranks second on the team, and when she’s locked in, she’s one of the most dynamic players in college golf.
Chloe Kim: Freshman Steps Forward
Kim made her collegiate debut earlier this month and showed flashes of what’s to come. She posted a 73 in her final round - her lowest so far - and is gaining valuable experience as she gets acclimated to the college game. She’ll compete as an individual this week, giving her another opportunity to build confidence and momentum.
Sarah Hammett: Spring Debut Incoming
Hammett, a freshman from Australia, will also compete as an individual this week, marking her spring season debut. She had a solid fall, highlighted by a third-place finish at the weather-shortened East Lake Cup. With two top-25 finishes already under her belt, Hammett has shown she can hang with elite competition.
What to Watch
This week in Palm Desert is more than just a mid-season checkpoint - it’s a chance for USC to flex its depth and talent against a high-level field. With five players ranked inside the top 60, the Trojans have the firepower to contend from top to bottom. Whether it’s Park’s poise, Lee’s consistency, or Shoemaker’s spark, this is a team that can win in multiple ways.
Keep an eye on the live scoring as the action unfolds - and don’t be surprised if USC is in the mix come the final round.