CGN Player Highlight and Interview: Catherine Park’s Rise at USC
USC senior Catherine Park continues to build one of the top resumes in college golf. Raised in Irvine, California, Park developed through Southern California junior golf and entered USC as a two-time Rolex Junior All-American. She quickly translated that success to the collegiate level, posting record scoring marks and national finishes across three standout seasons.
Park owns four career collegiate victories, earned First Team and Second Team All America honors, and has competed in major championships and elite amateur events. She is currently ranked No. 12 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and No. 48 in the Clippd Scoreboard.
Career Highlights
Four career wins, including the 2025 Leadership and Golf Invitational
Tied the USC single-round record with a 63 at the 2025 Stanford Intercollegiate
T4 at the 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur
T5 at the 2025 NCAA Championships
Two time Arnold Palmer Cup selection and Curtis Cup team member
Set USC single season records for top ten finishes and par or better rounds in 2024 to 2025
Competed in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open, finishing T44
Collegiate Results Snapshot
2024 to 2025 (Junior Season)
WGCA and Golfweek Second Team All America
All Big Ten First Team and Big Ten Sportsmanship Team
Program records for top ten finishes (10) and par or better rounds (26)
Second-lowest stroke average in program history (71.00)
Victory at Leadership and Golf Invitational
T4 at Augusta National Women’s Amateur and T5 at NCAA Championships
2023 to 2024 (Sophomore Season)
WGCA and Golfweek First Team All America
Pac 12 Champion with a tournament record minus fifteen
Wins at the Stanford Intercollegiate and Silverado Showdown
T44 at the U.S. Women’s Open
Ranked No. 6 in WAGR at season end
2022 to 2023 (Freshman Season)
WGCA All America Honorable Mention and All Pac 12
NCAA Individual Runner up with a record tying 64 at the NCAA Championships
Four top tens in final six events
Women’s Western Amateur medalist with a course record 64
Interview Highlights with CGN
Early development and inspiration
Park followed her older sister to the course and committed to golf at a young age. Her parents supported daily practice and tournament travel. She credits her mother, an Olympic gold medalist in archery, and her father, a gold medalist in judo, for instilling discipline and competitive drive.
Junior success and breakthrough
Park spent long afternoons training after school and competing across the country. Winning her first AJGA event confirmed her commitment and pushed her deeper into elite competition.
U.S. Women’s Open experience before college
Playing in the U.S. Women’s Open as a junior provided her first look at major championship environments. She observed Tour level preparation, routines, and short game proficiency, which reshaped her focus entering college.
Swing transformation at USC
Park shifted from a draw to a cut during her freshman fall, committing to the change in competition within one week and refining it over four months. Her ball striking and confidence soared, leading to a breakout spring.
Mindset and improvement focus
Park targets micro gains in wedges, speed control, and yardages, emphasizing that small details separate elite players at the top of the amateur game.
Coaching and caddie support
USC head coach Justin Silver caddies for Park at major amateur events, including the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and U.S. Women’s Open, providing course management input and familiarity.
Goals
USC looks to defend its East Lake title and pursue a Big Ten championship and NCAA team title. Individually, Park aims to continue competing for national honors and prepare for a professional career.
Player Profile
School: University of Southern California
Class: Senior
Hometown: Irvine, California
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Major: Business Administration
Equipment: Full Titleist bag and Scotty Cameron blade putter
Sources
CGN Interview with Catherine Park
Catherine Park Player Profile
