Walker named UGA Women’s Player of the Year for second consecutive year

MILLCREEK, Utah — BYU women’s golfer Kate Walker was named the 2026 UGA Women’s Player of the Year, the Utah Golf Association announced Friday.

After winning the award in 2025, Walker became just the second golfer to earn the honor in consecutive years.

“I am so grateful to receive this award again this year,” Walker said. “It came as a surprise, but I am so happy I was able to do it again. I have put in a lot of work this year, and it feels really good for it to pay off. I am grateful for all my coaches that have helped me get here and for my friends and family for always supporting me.”

Walker joined former Cougars Kerstin Fotu and Lila Galea’i as BYU women’s golfers to win the award, while Sue Nyhus earned the UGA Player of the Year honor in 1999 before a separate women’s category was established.

The award is based on the Player Performance Rankings, with point values weighted toward the UGA’s premier tournaments.

Walker earned 145 points throughout the 2026 season after winning two events and recording a top-five finish in another. After winning the UGA Women’s Spring Open in April, she secured a 7-and-6 victory in the match-play final at the 3rd UGA Utah Girls’ Junior State Amateur Championship in June.

The freshman from St. George, Utah, also finished fifth at 3 under par at the Mary Lou Baker Open in August.

“There is always something to work on with golf, and I am proud of the progress I have made,” Walker said. “Winning this keeps me motivated to push myself and continue to achieve my goals.”

Former BYU women’s golfer Steph Belnap also earned the 2026 Senior Women’s Player of the Year, claiming the honor for the second consecutive year after sharing it in 2025.

Walker and BYU men’s golfer David Liechty became the first current Cougars to sweep the UGA Women’s and Men’s Player of the Year awards since the women’s award was introduced in 2012.