WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University women's golf team welcomes five newcomers to the squad for the 2023-24 season. Head Coach Kate Schanuel announced the addition of freshmen Claire Chen, Jiaying "Jasmine" Lai, Morgan Smith and Vilda Westh Blanc as well as transfer Georgia Ruffolo from Wake Forest. The class hails from four U.S. states as well as China.
 
CLAIRE CHEN
Freshman | Fremont, California | The Harker School
Schanuel on Chen: "Claire is a dynamic player and will make a positive impact in our pursuit for postseason success. She has great resolve and is also a superb student in the classroom. Her top finishes on the national level have prepared her for high level college golf. We are excited for her addition to our Hoya family."
 
Prior to Georgetown

• Twice qualified for the U.S. Girls' Junior
• Took second at AJGA Adidas Junior All-Star
• Winner of the Junior Tour of Northern California at Pájaro Valley
• Tied for second at Hale Irwin Colorado AJGA
• Played high school varsity golf all four years
• A high school team champion in both the West Bay Athletic League (WBAL) and Central Coast Section (CCS) League in 2021
• Was the high school WBAL MVP, individual scoring champion and The Harker School was the team champion in 2019

 
JIAYING "JASMINE" LAI
Freshman | Huizhou, China | Montverde Academy [Florida]
Schanuel on Lai: "We are thrilled Jasmine will join us this fall. Being at Montverde Academy for her high school career has given her the ability to manage her game both mentally and physically. Her mature mindset combined with her international playing experience is an asset for our team and we are eager for her to join us."
 
Prior to Georgetown

• The 2022-23 International Junior Golf Academy Player of the Year
• A four-time International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) winner
• Has six times finished among the top three at an IJGT event 
• A two-time Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) winner
• Placed fifth at the 63rd Florida Junior Tour (FJT) Girls' Junior Championship in 2022
• Finished fifth at 2022 Optimist Tournament of Champions
• Top 10 finish at Orlando Junior Amateur
• Graduated 2022-23 with a gross scoring average of 71.67

 
MORGAN SMITH
Freshman | Westford, Massachusetts | Westford Academy
Schanuel on Smith: "Morgan has worked really hard in the classroom and in golf. Her tenacity and ability to finish any round is a desirable talent that any elite player would love to have. She is well equipped for the next four years and will be a great addition for us as we watch her growth and development both on our team and within our campus community."
 
Prior to Georgetown

• Qualified for the 2023 U.S Women's Amateur to be played in August at Bel Air Country Club
• Defending champion at the 2023 New England Women's Amateur  (71-70-72)
• Won Women's Lowell City Title shooting 68
• Won the 2022 Massachusetts Women's Amateur in August
• Won the 2022 New England Women's Am in June
• Qualified for 2022 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship in June
• Won 2022 U.S. Challenge Cup in May
• Named the 2022 Girls Junior Player of the Year by Mass Golf
• A member of the varsity golf team all four years at Westford Academy

 
VILDA WESTH BLANC
Freshman | Wartrace, Tennessee | George Washington Online High School
Schanuel on Westh Blanc: "We have been watching Vilda for two years and are excited for her arrival this fall. She is a strong student of both the game and in the classroom. She is not afraid to set and achieve lofty goals. The experience she brings will enhance our championship culture and we are excited to see what she can accomplish on and off the course."
 
Prior to Georgetown

• Advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 Women's Western Junior Championship, falling to the eventual champion
• Carding a 10-under par, won the 2021 Patty Berg Junior Championship
• Won the 2021 Doral Junior Open
• Played in the 2022 Junior PGA Championship
• Finished third in Tennessee Junior Championship
• Placed top 10 at the 2022 Elite Invitational

 
GEORGIA RUFFOLO
Junior | Tampa, Fla. | Academy of Holy Names / Wake Forest
Schanuel on Ruffolo: "Georgia comes to us with great knowledge and experience of the game. She has distance off the tee and is a great ball striker and has a positive and competitive spirit. We are looking forward to Georgia peaking during her collegiate career at Georgetown and see what she can achieve on and off the course."
 
Prior to Georgetown

• Tied for seventh at 2022 Grandover Fall Classic, hosted by UNC Greensboro, as an individual
• Competed in the Bryan National Collegiate in Fall 2021 and was the second-highest finisher on the B Team (+8, 224, T26)
• Tied for eighth at 2021 Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) Women's Open
• A semifinalist in match play at 2019 Florida Women's Amateur Championship
• Recorded six top-10 AJGA finishes between 2017 and 2018
• Managed five top-10 Florida Junior Tour (FJT) finishes between 2018 and 2019
• Ranked top 25 in FSGA's 2019 Women's Player of the Year point list