40th annual Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational honors trailblazer who founded University of Hawai‘i women’s athletics
‘AIEA, O‘AHU (March 17, 2026) – No. 2 USC continues to “Fight On.”
Winners of their last two tournaments, the Trojans catapulted to the top of the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational leaderboard after two rounds on O‘ahu. They enter Wednesday’s final round with a 16-stroke lead at 22-under-par at Pearl at Kalauao, which recently reopened following a 12-month modernization.
“We had multiple individuals who really performed today – Jasmine Koo put up two solid rounds by playing steady all day. She’s been down a bit from her peak, so this was great to see her play so well,” said Justin Silverstein, the USC women’s golf coach who recorded his 30th tournament win last week as the Trojan’s head coach. “Bailey Shoemaker shot 6-under-par in today’s second round to finish in second place. It had been a long time coming. I was happy for her. She does well when we get any sort of weather – and the course really suits her eye, as she plays well into the winds.”
USC, a two-time event champion, has not competed in the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational since 2003—yet the Trojans have shown no signs of rust despite their more than two-decade absence.
No. 23 Arizona State, a three-time champion of the event, occupies solo second place at 6-under-par.
Tuesday’s competition also carried a deeper meaning beyond sports.
Players, coaches and fans wore pink ribbons in support of the late wife of Texas State head coach, Par Nilsson, who recently died of breast cancer. Playing with heavy hearts, the No. 57 Bobcats delivered a resilient performance. They stand in third place at 5-under par.
No. 13 North Carolina, winners of two of its last four tournaments, is in fourth place at 2-under-par.
USC placed three players among the top four individuals in the 78-player field, led by sophomore Jasmine Koo at 7-under-par. The reigning All-American continues her standout season after tying two USC program records last year for wins in a single season (four), as well as most wins in succession (three).
Leading host Hawaiʻi was Jasmine Wong, a nearby ‘Iolani School graduate and 2024 Mānoa Cup winner. She is tied for 21st place after two rounds.
“The Donnis is our final home event before the Big West Championship at Kāʻanapali, and it’s a very special tournament for our three seniors,” said Hawaiʻi women’s golf coach and three-time Big West Coach of the Year, Julie Brooks. “They’ve meant so much to this program.”
Wendy Song was Brooks’ first recruit at Hawaiʻi, Emiko Sverduk has competed in every tournament during her three seasons in Mānoa and Maline Kraus earned All-Big West honorable mention honors in 2024-25.
Originally known as the Rainbow Wahine Invitational, the tournament was re-named in 1999 to honor Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, the university’s first women’s athletics director and a pioneering advocate for gender equity in sports. She passed away in 2009 at the age of 75.
Now in its 40th anniversary, the tournament – affectionately known as “the Donnis” – has showcased premier collegiate talent across the islands. It was held on the Ocean Course at Hōkūala (Kaua‘i) in 2024 and Kā’anapali (Maui) in 2025 before returning to O‘ahuthis year.
The final round begins on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. HST. Attendance is free for walking spectators.
USC’s Jasmine Koo watches her approach shot on March 17, 2026 at Pearl at Kalauao in ‘Aiea, Hawai‘i.
All team and individual scores can be found here: SCOREBOARD
Team Leaderboard
| Place | School | To Par | Rd. 1 | Rd. 2 |
| 1 | USC | -22 | -8 | -14 |
| 2 | Arizona State | -6 | +2 | -8 |
| 3 | Texas State | -5 | +1 | -6 |
| 4 | North Carolina | -2 | -2 | E |
| 5 | Louisiana-Monroe | +15 | +9 | +6 |
| 6 | Sacramento State | +20 | +11 | +9 |
| 7 | New Mexico State | +22 | +14 | +8 |
| 8 | New Mexico | +27 | +13 | +14 |
| 9 | Northern Colorado | +30 | +13 | +17 |
| 10 | Montana State | +33 | +18 | +15 |
| 11 | Hawaiʻi | +37 | +15 | +22 |
| 12 | California Baptist | +40 | +21 | +19 |
| 13 | Hawaiʻi Pacific | +66 | +26 | +40 |
Top Individuals
| Place | Player | School | To Par | Rd. 1 | Rd. 2 |
| 1 | Jasmine Koo | USC | -7 | -4 | -3 |
| 2 | Bailey Shoemaker | USC | -5 | +1 | -6 |
| 3 | Grace Quintanilla | Texas State | -4 | -3 | -1 |
| T4 | Beth Coulter | Arizona State | -3 | -2 | -1 |
| T4 | Catherine Park | USC | -3 | E | -3 |
| T4 | Megan Streicher | North Carolina | -3 | -1 | -2 |
| T4 | Pimpisa Rubrong | Arizona State | -3 | E | -3 |
| 8 | *Elise Lee | USC | -2 | -1 | -1 |
| T9 | Fia Lindblom | Texas State | -1 | +4 | -5 |
| T9 | Yvonne Chamness | Texas State | -1 | -1 | E |
*Competing as Individual
TOURNAMENT FACTS
Dates: March 17-18, 2026
Format: 54 holes (36 Tuesday, 18 Wednesday); 5-count-4
Time: 8:00 a.m. HST shotgun start each day
Venue: Pearl at Kalauao
Location: ‘Aiea, O‘ahu
Yardage (Par): 6,246 (72)
– Pau –
Photos courtesy of Pearl at Kalauao.
About Pearl at Kalauao
Pearl at Kalauao, like a precious momi (pearl), is a hidden gem in O‘ahu’s golfing landscape, offering breathtaking views from Pu‘uloa to the Wai‘anae Mountains. Established in 1967 as the Francis H. ‘Ī‘ī Brown Golf and Country Club and later transitioning to Pearl Country Club in 1975, it has long welcomed both kama‘āina and visitors. Today, the course continues its legacy with new enhancements, including upgraded clubhouse amenities and short-game practice facilities. Pearl at Kalauao remains committed to sustainable stewardship of the ‘āina, fostering a connection to the land that benefits both the environment and the wider community. Learn more at www.pearlatkalauao.com.
About Troon
Pearl at Kalauao is managed by Indigo Sports, a Troon company. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 950-plus locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, TroonMagazine.com or connect with Troon on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
