Emma Bunch, a junior at New Mexico State University, recently dominated the competition at the Golfweek Fall Challenge at the Caledonia Golf and Fish Club in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Bunch, a native of Denmark, showcased her exceptional accuracy by only missing two fairways during the 54-hole tournament, finishing with an impressive score of 7 under par. This victory adds to Bunch’s incredible streak of six wins in her last seven starts with the Aggies, earning her a spot on the preseason ANNIKA Award Watch List.
Bunch attributes her recent success to her improved short game, stating that her ability to get up and down around the greens has significantly reduced her number of bogeys. The college winning streak she’s on can also be credited to the course at Caledonia, where Bunch has previously performed well, finishing in the top 10 in previous years. Coach Danny Bowen of New Mexico State believes that Bunch’s enhanced short game and putting skills have been key to her recent success, along with a newfound confidence that has propelled her game to new heights.
The Aggie golf facilities have provided Bunch with ample opportunities to practice and enhance her skills, especially in the short game department. Having more exposure to different types of grass than she was accustomed to back home in Denmark has also contributed to Bunch’s improvement. Despite her success, Bunch remains humble and is unsure of what exactly led to her breakthrough in tournament play, as she had not won a college tournament until claiming victory at the GCU Invitational last February.
Maintaining a positive mindset and having confidence in her abilities have been crucial for Bunch as she continues to excel on the golf course. Staying focused on her processes and goals, such as hitting at least 14 greens per round, has helped Bunch stay on track and continue her upward trajectory in the sport. Additionally, Bunch has emerged as a leader on the Aggie team, providing support and encouragement to her teammates both on and off the course.
In addition to her collegiate success, Bunch has represented Denmark in international competitions, including the International Arnold Palmer Cup team. She has also competed in the European Ladies Team Championship and the European Ladies Amateur, earning a top-10 finish. Bunch’s outstanding performance has placed her within the top 100 in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking, solidifying her status as one of the top players in the world.
Looking ahead, Bunch is set to represent Denmark at the Spirit International Amateur in November, further showcasing her skills on the global stage. With her continued dedication to improvement and a strong support system in place, Emma Bunch is undoubtedly a rising star in the world of amateur golf, poised for even greater success in the future.
