Miami Golf Inks 2023 Signing Class
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — University of Miami head golf coach Janice Olivencia announced Thursday the signing of five golfers to National Letters of Intent. The 2023 standout class consists of Sophie Bierstorfer (Germany), Barbora Bujáková (Czech Republic), Katie Carman (Lexington, Kentucky), Rebekah Gardner (Ireland) and Aada Rissanen (Finland).
“This signing class is very special and is the start of a new era for Miami golf. We are thrilled to have these five student-athletes join our family,” Olivencia said. “They each bring their own style for the game and their passion for the Canes to our program. They have been loyal commits to our program and great ambassadors for our university. All combined, they have competed nationally and internationally for their respective teams and national teams and at the highest level of amateur golf. The University of Miami gains five exceptional young women in the 2023 signing class.”
Sophie Bierstorfer
Bierstorfer has a wealth of international golf experience, having played on the Italian National Team and in her home country of Germany. She was not only the Italian U16 Match Play Champion, but also a German U14 Team Champion.
Head Coach Janice Olivencia has to say about Sophie Bierstorfer:
“Sophie is an exciting player and a great fit to our 2023 class,” Olivencia said. “She will bring work ethic, discipline, and enthusiasm to our team. She is smart on and off the golf course and has a very good understanding of her game. She is athletic, passionate, competitive and believe she will transition into becoming a great college golfer. We are excited about her potential and can’t wait to work with her.”
What Sophie Bierstorfer has to say about joining the University of Miami:
“I chose Miami because of the amazing coaches and atmosphere amongst the team, which is essential for becoming a successful college golfer. As well, I chose Miami for the beautiful campus and city I’ll be living and studying in. To be able to call myself a Cane is a privilege, as I know it’s a dream for many athletes. Being a Cane gives me the opportunity to explore my potential, improve my game and my personality. I’m looking forward to competing, traveling, practicing as a team, meeting new people, and establishing new relationships, while studying what I love in the most amazing city.”
Barbora Bujáková
In recent years, Bujáková has garnered plenty of experience and accomplishments. Bujáková is a member and has represented the Czech National Team, placing fifth at the European Girls Team Championship in 2021 and 2022.
Bujáková finished first at the 2022 U18 National Girls’ Team Championship, second in 2021 and third in 2020. In 2020, she also placed second at the U18 Czech International Junior Championship and 16th at the Ladies European Tour Access.
For the second year in a row, Bujáková posted a third-place finish at the U16 National Championship in 2020. Additionally, Bujáková made it to the Final Four at the German Bundesliga and tallied a third place showing at the U18 Hungarian Championship.
Head Coach Janice Olivencia has to say about Barbora Bujáková:
“Barbora fits into our program in every way,” Olivencia said. “She is athletic, competitive and brings a wealth of international experience. Off the course she will be a great fit as well. She has a great demeanor and is competitive and fun to be around. She will be a supportive teammate as she is passionate about playing for the Canes and we can’t wait to have her here next fall.”
What Barbora Bujáková has to say about joining the University of Miami:
“I chose Miami because it felt like where I belong. I knew from the beginning Miami was the right place for me to be. There are unlimited opportunities, an amazing and welcoming golf program, and the best coaches in the nation. Wearing orange and green will push me every day not only to be a better athlete and student, but to be a better person. I’m honored to be a Cane, attend one of the best academic schools, and being a part of such a good community is something I’ve always dreamed of.”
Katie Carman
In 2022, Carman recorded two second place finishes in south Florida. As a member of the Florida Junior Tour, Carman posted six top-five finishes, including one first place showing.
At the DJGA, she tallied a top-10 finish at the 2022 Greenwood Cup. Carman was ranked No. 116 in the Class of 2023 AJGA Rolex Rankings and earned a spot on the 2020 All-Midwest Team.
Head Coach Janice Olivencia has to say about Katie Carman:
“We feel very lucky to have Katie join our golf program this coming spring. Katie comes from an athletic family and is a very determined young lady,” Olivencia said. “She has tremendous work ethic, high character that brings the attitude & competitiveness that can make an instant impact on this program. She has all the characteristics needed to be a highly successful student-athlete at the University of Miami.”
What Katie Carman has to say about joining the University of Miami:
“I chose Miami because I genuinely love everything about the school. Miami is known for its high academic standards, which is so important to me. It’s an honor to wear the orange and green because Miami’s golf team has won five National Championships and I’m excited to be a part of the program Coach Olivencia and Coach Huarte will continue to build.”
Rebekah Gardner
Over the past two years, Gardner has made a name for herself in her home country of Ireland. In 2021, she was the Connacht Women’s and Girls’ Strokeplay Champion, Ulster Women’s Strokeplay Champion and Leinster Girls’ Strokeplay Champion.
Gardner was also a member of the Irish Girls U18 national squad and represented Ireland at the 2021 R&A Girls’ and Boys’ Home Internationals.
Most recently, Gardner represented Ireland at the 2022 European Girls’ Team Championship and at the 2022 Girls’ and Boys’ Home Internationals. She also competed for Ireland at the 2022 World Junior Girls’ and is a member of the 2023 Irish National Women’s High-Performance Squad.
Head Coach Janice Olivencia has to say about Rebekah Gardner:
“Rebekah has a tremendous amount of experience that will be a valuable addition to our team,” Olivencia said. “She loves the game of golf, she’s a fierce competitor and is a dedicated and focused young woman both on and off the course. With her highly spirited drive and character traits, she will be an amazing teammate and future leader on our team. We couldn’t’ be more excited to have her as a Cane.”
What Rebekah Gardner has to say about joining the University of Miami:
“I chose Miami because I liked the feeling I got from the coaches when I first spoke with them. When I visited Miami, the surroundings felt like home away from home. The academics and history of the golf program helped me choose Miami. Miami has all the foundations for me to excel academically and athletically. Wearing the colors of orange and green will be the start of a new chapter in my life. It will give me a sense of pride and motivate me to work harder to achieve my goals. I will give my all to help the team achieve success together. As a Miami Hurricane, I will live out one of my childhood dreams of playing college golf, which is a privilege and opportunity that not every girl my age has. It’s a reward to be a Hurricane for my hard work up until this point.”
Aada Rissanen
In 2019, Rissanen was the Finnish International Junior Championship winner, Junior Girl of the Year and Finnish Junior Amateur Ranking winner. In 2021, she was the Finnish PGA Golf Tour 3 winner and posted a pair of fourth place finishes at the Finnish Amateur Championship and the Irish Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship.
Most recently, Rissanen won 2022 Finnish PGA Golf Tour 5 and recorded two fifth place finishes at the French International Ladies Championship. She has also participated in the European Team Championships, European Young Masters, World Junior Girls’ Championship, and the Ladies’ European Tour.
Head Coach Janice Olivencia has to say about Aada Rissanen:
“Aada has a strong affinity for the Canes, and we are equally excited to have her wearing the orange and green,” Olivencia said. “She is very diligent, and her work ethic has paid off with consistent, continued improvement as a player. Aada is focused and competitive and she will bring gritty energy to our team and we are excited for what is in store for her.”
What Aada Rissanen has to say about joining the University of Miami:
“I chose Miami because it felt the most welcoming to me. Miami is a city full of opportunities. I also wanted to follow in the footsteps of two Finnish girls I look up to on the Canes golf team. This will be a start of a new era wearing the orange and green. Being a Miami Hurricane is a privilege and recognition of my previous performances. I’m most excited to live in a new place, study on a modern campus, meeting new people and playing golf. I’m looking forward to becoming a better version of myself, athlete, student and person.”
