Maya McVey has enjoyed the best fall season to date for the Buffs.
Photo by: Scott Tan
October 25, 2026 | Women's Golf
Third year in a row to close fall in Nanea Invitational
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai'i – The Colorado women's golf team arrived here Friday on the Big Island to prepare for the Nanea Invitational, the third straight year the Buffaloes will complete the fall portion of their schedule in the tournament.
Colorado tied for sixth last year finishing with an even-par 876 team score on the 6,446-yard, par-73 Nanea Golf Club course, the 12th time CU has competed on its layout. CU placed seventh in 2024, with both fields numbering 11 schools including numerous teams ranked in the top 25 as is the case this year.
This will mark the 16th time in the 33-year history of the women's program at Colorado that the Buffaloes will close out the fall in Hawai'i, most of those occasions on the Big Island.
Five players have made the trip: seniors Carolyn Fuller and Maya McVey, junior Ellen O'Shaughnessy and sophomores Brenna Higgins and Ananthi Vivek. Fuller tied for 16th individually a year ago with a 3-under effort (70-72-74—216).
"We are always excited and grateful to finish the fall in Hawaii," said head coach Madeleine Shiels, who is not with the team as she is expecting to give birth to her second child the third week of November; assistant coach Mia Landegren has escorted the team on the trip, with some able assistance from longtime CU head coach Anne Kelly, who retired in 2024 after serving 27 years in the position.
"This is another great opportunity to test ourselves against top teams on one of the best courses in the world," Shiels continued. "The group is eager to rebound from last week's showing (a tie for 15th in the Stanford Intercollegiate). We haven't had the fall season we've wanted, but we start at even par again on Monday and are ready to play with confidence and determination."
In addition to CU and the co-hosts, the University of Hawai'i and Stanford, eight other schools are entered in the tournament: Arizona State, California, Oregon State, San Jose State, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA and Washington. Five of the participants are ranked among the nation's top 15 by Clippd/Scoreboard, led by No. 5 Stanford, the two-time defending champion in the event.
For Monday's first round, Colorado will tee off on holes 11 through 15 in an 11:30 a.m. MDT shotgun start. The Buffaloes will be paired in foursomes with Oregon State, Texas and Texas A&M.
NOTES: Monday's weather forecast calls for sunny skies and a high temperature of 80 degrees, with a chance of rain and thunderstorms for the last two rounds … While often referred to as the Big Island, its true name is Hawai'i Island … When CU was a member of the Pac-12 Conference, the fall schedule ended several times in Kona in league's annual Fall Preview … McVey leads the team in stroke average with a 71.42 average, with all 12 rounds falling between 69 and 73. She is also the team leader in subpar (4) and even-par (5) rounds along with three top 20 finishes … McVey and Higgins have had all 12 of their rounds this fall count toward team scoring … The Colorado men are also closing its fall schedule in Hawai'i in the Ka'anapali Classic by Outrigger, also hosted the by the University of Hawai'i in Lahaina, Maui; that tournament started Sunday and at present is scheduled to end Tuesday but is also dealing with incoming inclement weather..
Colorado tied for sixth last year finishing with an even-par 876 team score on the 6,446-yard, par-73 Nanea Golf Club course, the 12th time CU has competed on its layout. CU placed seventh in 2024, with both fields numbering 11 schools including numerous teams ranked in the top 25 as is the case this year.
This will mark the 16th time in the 33-year history of the women's program at Colorado that the Buffaloes will close out the fall in Hawai'i, most of those occasions on the Big Island.
Five players have made the trip: seniors Carolyn Fuller and Maya McVey, junior Ellen O'Shaughnessy and sophomores Brenna Higgins and Ananthi Vivek. Fuller tied for 16th individually a year ago with a 3-under effort (70-72-74—216).
"We are always excited and grateful to finish the fall in Hawaii," said head coach Madeleine Shiels, who is not with the team as she is expecting to give birth to her second child the third week of November; assistant coach Mia Landegren has escorted the team on the trip, with some able assistance from longtime CU head coach Anne Kelly, who retired in 2024 after serving 27 years in the position.
"This is another great opportunity to test ourselves against top teams on one of the best courses in the world," Shiels continued. "The group is eager to rebound from last week's showing (a tie for 15th in the Stanford Intercollegiate). We haven't had the fall season we've wanted, but we start at even par again on Monday and are ready to play with confidence and determination."
In addition to CU and the co-hosts, the University of Hawai'i and Stanford, eight other schools are entered in the tournament: Arizona State, California, Oregon State, San Jose State, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA and Washington. Five of the participants are ranked among the nation's top 15 by Clippd/Scoreboard, led by No. 5 Stanford, the two-time defending champion in the event.
For Monday's first round, Colorado will tee off on holes 11 through 15 in an 11:30 a.m. MDT shotgun start. The Buffaloes will be paired in foursomes with Oregon State, Texas and Texas A&M.
NOTES: Monday's weather forecast calls for sunny skies and a high temperature of 80 degrees, with a chance of rain and thunderstorms for the last two rounds … While often referred to as the Big Island, its true name is Hawai'i Island … When CU was a member of the Pac-12 Conference, the fall schedule ended several times in Kona in league's annual Fall Preview … McVey leads the team in stroke average with a 71.42 average, with all 12 rounds falling between 69 and 73. She is also the team leader in subpar (4) and even-par (5) rounds along with three top 20 finishes … McVey and Higgins have had all 12 of their rounds this fall count toward team scoring … The Colorado men are also closing its fall schedule in Hawai'i in the Ka'anapali Classic by Outrigger, also hosted the by the University of Hawai'i in Lahaina, Maui; that tournament started Sunday and at present is scheduled to end Tuesday but is also dealing with incoming inclement weather..
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Wednesday, May 21
Friday, April 11
Tuesday, December 12
Tuesday, December 12
