Kansas to Host Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational Oct. 6-7

Tournament: Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Course: Lawrence Country Club
Par/Yardages: 71/6,068
Participating Teams: Arkansas State, Ball State, Cal Baptist, Central Arkansas, Delaware, Drake, KANSAS, Missouri, Notre Dame, St. Thomas, Tarleton State, UC Davis, UC Fullerton, UC Irvine
Live Scoring: scoreboard

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas women's golf team is set to host the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational at the Lawrence Country Club from Oct. 6-7.

Kansas is looking to defend its title at the Marilynn Smith Invitational, after putting together a historic performance as a team last season. The Jayhawks recorded the lowest 18-hole round in the KU women's golf history of the tournament with a 278 (-10) in the second round last year, while also recording the lowest 54-hole score with a 858 (-6), 11-strokes better than the second lowest score.

Kansas hosts a 14-team field including Arkansas State, Ball State, Cal Baptist, Central Arkansas, Delaware, Drake, Missouri, Notre Dame, St. Thomas, Tarleton State, UC Davis, Cal State Fullerton, and UC Irvine.

"We are so excited to host again for the third time in four years and are expecting great warm temperatures for the event," Kansas head coach Lindsay Kuhle said. "We have a strong field of 14 teams and look forward to defending our title."

The Jayhawks are coming off a fifth-place finish at the 2025 Golfweek Red Sky Classic a week ago. Kansas was led by both senior Amy DeKock and junior Lyla Louderbaugh. Both golfers shot a 213 (-3) and tied for 16th place.

"I feel very confident in our team and all eight players to perform well at home this week," Kuhle said. "We have worked really hard since the Red Sky Classic with our preparation for playing at home, playing with confidence, and working on the areas of the game that we believe are important at LCC, which is approach shots and ball striking and putting."

All eight student-athletes will compete for the Jayhawks in the Marilynn Smith Invitational. Kuhle will compete with a lineup of DeKock, Louderbaugh, senior Anna Wallin, sophomore Ebba Nordstedt, and sophomore Jillian Fatkin. Red-shirt sophomore Zoe Pinillos, and freshman Kinslea Jones and Marieke Ebens will compete as individuals throughout the event.

"It is a very cool and unique experience and opportunity to play at home, something I have always been passionate about as a player and coach and really wanted to provide our players with this experience." Kuhle said. "We have worked hard to get a strong team, prepare for this event, and our tournament director, (Associate Head Coach) Stephen Bidne has done a phenomenal job the past few weeks in getting the course and tournament ready for a great week. We couldn't be more prepared or excited to compete."

HOW TO FOLLOW
Kansas will tee off at 8 a.m. CT on Hole 1 at the Lawrence Country Club. Fans will be able to come out and support the Jayhawks during the tournament, and also keep up with live updates throughout the tournament from the official Kansas Women's Golf X Account. Live scoring for the event will be available through scoreboard.

University of Kansas Athletics

Kansas to Host Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational Oct. 6-7

Players Mentioned

Amy DeKock

Marieke Ebens

Jillian Fatkin

Kinslea Jones

Lyla Louderbaugh

Ebba Nordstedt

Zoe Pinillos

Anna Wallin

Related Videos