Rose Zhang, a sophomore from Stanford University, was named the Honda Sport Award winner for Golf for the second year in a row as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).
The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 47 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. The winner of the sport award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2023 Honda Cup, which will be presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 26th, at 5:30 pm ET/8:30 pm PT.
Zhang was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Jenny Bae (Georgia), Ingrid Lindblad (LSU) and Julia Lopez Ramirez (Mississippi State).
"I am honored to be named the Honda Sport Award for Golf winner for the second year in a row, " stated Zhang. "My time at Stanford has been incredibly special, and I want to dedicate this award to my teammates and coaches who helped push me every step of the way. Congratulations to all of the winners from the other 11 sports as well, as they all accomplished amazing things this year and it's truly an honor to be mentioned alongside each and every one of them. Special thanks to my family and to those who have supported me and made this year so special."
Zhang was also the Class of 2022 Honda Award Winner for Golf and is a two-time PING Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Player of the Year as well as a two-time winner of the ANNIKA Award, given to the top women’s collegiate player.
The sophomore is a two-time winner of the GolfStat Cup for best scoring average on the season finishing this year at 68.81. In back-to-back years, she set the NCAA single-season scoring average record (69.68 in 2022).
Zhang became the first-ever back-to-back champion earning the NCAA Individual Championship title for the second year in a row this spring and earlier in the season won the 2023 Augusta National women’s Amateur.
Most recently, Zhang announced her intention to turn professional and made her professional debut in the LPGA Mizuho Americas Open, June 1-4. She became the first rookie to win in her professional debut since 1951 after defeating Jennifer Kupcho (Honda Award Winner Class of 2018) in a playoff.
“I couldn’t think of a more worthy recipient than Rose Zhang.” stated Stanford golf head coach Anne Walker. “It’s rare in any sport to see history and this year, Rose made history many times over. She will be honored as the most decorated female college golfer of all-time and that’s a remarkable achievement.”
The CWSA, entering its 47th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.
About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility
For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.