LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s golf program has made an exciting addition to its incoming class with the signing of Anastasia Hekkonen, as announced by head coach Golda Borst on Thursday. Hekkonen, a native of Helsinki, Finland, will join C.A. Carter of Lexington, Kentucky, Elin Pudas Remler of Gothenburg, Sweden, and Raleygh Simpson of Kerrville, Texas, who all committed to the Wildcats on Wednesday and will be on campus in Fall 2024.
Coach Borst expressed her delight with the new class, stating, “We have a really strong class coming in next fall, and it’s a group that we are very proud of. It’s a diverse group of players from near and far, who all bring something different to our team. I think Big Blue Nation will love what they all bring to the table. We have big shoes to fill within the Kentucky women’s golf program in the years to come, and I know that these players, along with our returners next season, are ready for that task and more!”
Anastasia Hekkonen, currently attending Loretto School in Edinburgh, Scotland, has showcased her talent as a three-year letterwinner on the golf team. She played a pivotal role in her team’s recent victory at the 2023 HMC Foursomes Regional Championship and claimed the individual title at the 2023 Swift Tour School Championship. Hekkonen’s leadership skills both on and off the golf course were recognized when she was named the 2023 co-captain of Loretto Golf Academy.
In addition to her achievements at Loretto School, Hekkonen has also excelled on the Junior Solheim Cup circuit, Finnish Tour, and Finnish Junior Tour. She has secured numerous top finishes in these tournaments, including wins at a Finnish Junior Golf Tour event, a Finnish PGA Golf Tour event, and the Finnish International Junior U16 Championship, all in 2022. Hekkonen’s outstanding performance resulted in her being named the Finnish Junior Amateur Ranking winner and the Girl Junior of the Year winner by the Finnish Golf Managers Association at the end of 2022. This year, she also impressed with a ninth-place finish at the 2023 R&A Girls Amateur Championship.
Coach Borst expressed her excitement about Hekkonen’s addition to the team, saying, “We are adding another great player to our already strong class next fall in Anastasia. She brings a great deal of international experience, along with Elin, and she knows what it’s like to play for a team, having represented Finland at the highest levels! We’re excited about her and what she will bring as a teammate. I know she’ll have an immediate impact on our program.”
The Wildcats are expected to make an additional signing announcement in the coming days, further solidifying their position as a formidable force in collegiate women’s golf.
