Saints Secure Podium Finish at Pan Pacific University Golf Super League in Japan
The University of St Andrews Golf Team celebrated its first silverware of the season after the women’s squad secured a third-place finish at the prestigious Pan Pacific University Golf Super League in Japan.
Competing at the spectacular Grandfields Country Club in Mishima, beneath the iconic Mount Fuji, the Saints fielded both men’s and women’s teams against leading university programmes from across the globe. The women’s team finished third among 12 international teams, while the men’s side battled through challenging circumstances to record a series of impressive individual performances.
The tournament was contested over 54 holes of stroke play across three days, with both team and individual honours on offer. Team standings were determined by the four lowest scores from each side in every round, while the individual competition combined male and female competitors in a single leaderboard based on total strokes.
Ahead of the competition, the Saints squad spent several days acclimatising in Tokyo, taking in the sights and culture of Japan before beginning what many described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Women’s Team impresses in first competitive outing together
A new-look St Andrews women’s team featuring Carmen Lim, Mattison Frick, Chloe Tarkany, Alice Webb and Elisabeth Giehl made an immediate impact on the international stage.
Leading the charge was Carmen Lim, who produced an outstanding performance to finish runner-up in the individual standings on one under par. Mattison Frick also enjoyed an excellent week, claiming fourth place at one over par, while Alice Webb secured an 11th-place finish at four over par.
With valuable contributions from Chloe Tarkany and Elisabeth Giehl throughout the tournament, the Saints women compiled a consistent team performance that earned a place on the podium and the programme’s first medal-winning result of the academic year.
Men’s Team shows resilience in difficult conditions
The men’s team of Jamie Henshaw, Julius Sommer, Ollie George, James Whitworth and Spencer Turtz faced adversity early in the tournament when Henshaw was forced to withdraw after the opening round due to heat illness.
His withdrawal left the Saints without the safety net of a dropped score for the remaining two rounds, placing additional pressure on the rest of the team in demanding conditions.
Despite the setback, new recruit Spencer Turtz delivered an impressive debut performance, finishing 10th overall on four under par following rounds of 69, 71 and 69.
Ollie George, the reigning R&A Student Tour Series Order of Merit champion, recovered strongly after a difficult start in the intense heat to finish 32nd on six over par. Fellow newcomer James Whitworth also bounced back from a challenging opening round to place 39th on nine over par.
With every score counting after Henshaw’s withdrawal, the men’s team faced an uphill battle throughout the week, but showed determination and resilience against a highly competitive international field.
Memorable experience on and off the course
While the podium finish provided a highlight for the Saints women, the trip offered much more than competitive success. From top-five individual finishes for Carmen Lim and Mattison Frick to Spencer Turtz’s top-10 debut, the tournament delivered plenty of encouraging performances for St Andrews.
Equally significant was the opportunity for players to experience Japanese culture and hospitality, making the visit to the Pan Pacific University Golf Super League a memorable chapter in the University’s 2025 season and an important step in the development of both squads.
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