Oregon State senior Raya Nakao enters the 2026- 2027 season after another consistent year that reinforced her place among the top players in collegiate golf. The Kaneohe, Hawai’i native earned All-WCC honors for the third consecutive season, recorded five Top 10 finishes, qualified for the NCAA Championship, and added one of the strongest amateur performances of her career with a semifinal appearance at the Women’s Western Amateur.
Nakao’s summer included co-medalist honors after stroke play and a run to the semifinals at one of women’s amateur golf’s premier championships, providing momentum entering her final collegiate season.
Career Highlights
• Three-time WGCA All-American Scholar
• Three-time All-WCC selection
• Three-time WCC All-Academic Team selection
• 2025 WCC Individual Champion
• 2025 WCC Golfer of the Month
• Three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances
• Oregon State freshman scoring average record (72.05)
• Oregon State sophomore scoring average record (72.39)
• Three consecutive seasons averaging 73.23 or better
• HHSAA State Champion
Building One of Oregon State’s Most Consistent Careers
Nakao has steadily developed into one of the most accomplished players in Oregon State history.
As a freshman, she posted a school record 72.05 scoring average, recorded four Top 10 finishes, helped the Beavers advance to the NCAA Championship, and tied for fifth individually at the NCAA Regional.
She followed with an even stronger sophomore campaign, earning her first collegiate victory at the WCC Championship while establishing another program record with a 72.39 scoring average, the best ever by an Oregon State sophomore.
During her junior season, Nakao played every event, finished with a 73.23 scoring average, earned All WCC honors for the third straight year, posted five Top 10 finishes, and helped Oregon State return to NCAA postseason competition.
Leaving Hawai’i to Chase Growth
Growing up in Kaneohe, Hawai’i, golf quickly became a family activity.
Nakao credits her grandfather, father, and older sister for introducing her to the game. While her sister attended lessons, Raya tagged along to the driving range before beginning lessons herself at seven years old. She said having a talented group of junior golfers in Hawai’i pushed everyone to improve together.
When recruiting began, Nakao intentionally wanted to leave Hawai’i.
She told CGN that moving to the mainland offered an opportunity to gain independence while experiencing life away from home. Oregon State immediately stood out because of head coach Dawn Shockley, whose values aligned with her own, and because the team felt like a family during her visit.
Learning Through the Transition to College
Nakao admitted the adjustment to college was not easy.
She experienced homesickness early during her freshman year before leaning on teammates, coaches, and friendships outside of golf. She also learned the importance of balancing academics, golf, and social life while pursuing a BioHealth Sciences degree.
That experience helped shape her approach throughout college, where she emphasized preparation, trusting her work, and lowering expectations rather than adding unnecessary pressure. She said simply believing she belonged allowed her to enjoy competing and contributed to her record setting freshman season.
Women’s Western Amateur Breakthrough
Nakao produced one of the biggest amateur results of her career this summer.
She shared medalist honors with Rachel Lee and Kylee Choi after 36 holes of stroke play before advancing to the semifinals through match play.
She defeated Kaitlyn Schroeder, 2 and 1, in the Round of 32 and Kaili Xiao, 4 and 3, in the Round of 16 before advancing to the semifinals, where she lost to eventual champion Kylee Choi, 4 and 3.
After missing match play at the championship a year earlier, Nakao entered this year’s event determined to prove herself. She said earning co medalist honors exceeded her expectations and gave her confidence heading into her senior season.
Interview Highlights with CGN
Finding Confidence Through Preparation
Nakao said her success began with trusting the work she had already put in. Rather than focusing on results, she concentrated on preparation and allowing her game to develop naturally.
Match Play Requires a Different Mindset
One of the biggest lessons from the Women’s Western Amateur came in match play.
Nakao explained that losing one hole does not define the round. She believes staying positive and treating every hole as a fresh opportunity makes it easier to recover after mistakes than in stroke play.
Turning a Weakness Into a Strength
Nakao acknowledged that putting challenged her during portions of her junior season.
She spent significant time working through the mental side of putting and felt it became one of the strongest parts of her game during the Women’s Western Amateur, where several key par saves helped fuel her run. She hopes continued improvement around the greens will help elevate her game during her senior season.
Looking Toward Professional Golf
Professional golf has remained a long term goal throughout Nakao’s college career.
She told CGN that her junior season reinforced her belief that she can compete against elite players. With one collegiate season remaining, she hopes to build on that momentum before pursuing the professional ranks.
A Special Week with Family
Nakao said the most memorable part of her summer came away from the leaderboard.
Her older sister served as her caddie during the Women’s Western Amateur, helping keep each round light, relaxed, and enjoyable. Having family support throughout the week made the experience especially meaningful and is something she hopes to carry into the future.
Strengths as a Player
• Three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances
• Proven consistency over three collegiate seasons
• Elite championship experience
• Strong match play performance
• Consistent ball striking
• Academic and athletic success
• Continued year to year improvement
CGN Angle
Raya Nakao has built one of the most consistent careers in Oregon State women’s golf history, improving every season while combining academic excellence with steady results on the course.
Her breakthrough summer at the Women’s Western Amateur demonstrated she can contend against one of the strongest amateur fields in the world. As she enters her senior season, Nakao has positioned herself to lead Oregon State while continuing to prepare for a potential professional career.
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