DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The LPGA Foundation announced today that Emma Bunch, a junior from New Mexico State University, is the recipient of the 2025 Dinah Shore Trophy celebrating her remarkable achievements on and off the golf course.

The Dinah Shore Trophy honors a top collegiate female golfer with a minimum 3.2 GPA, participation in at least 50% of her team's events, a scoring average of 78 or less, and demonstrated leadership and community impact.

"Being selected for the Dinah Shore Trophy is such a big honor, and I couldn't be more grateful," expressed Bunch. "I'm so proud to join a list of very accomplished women. None of it would be possible without the tremendous support I've gotten from NMSU and the Aggie community, and I'm so happy I'm able to help spread the Aggie name and give back to the program."

A Las Cruces, New Mexico native, Bunch maintains a 4.0 GPA while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Her academic excellence is matched by her stellar performance on the golf course. She posted a T11 finish at the 2025 Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA) and won titles at the Spring Break Shootout, Golfweek Fall Challenge, C-USA Championship, Wyoming Cowgirl Classic, PING-ASU Invitation and GCU Invitational to name a few.

"Emma is as special as they come," expressed NMSU Head Coach Danny Bowen. "She does everything with a smile on her face and with determination to give her best every day. This award would be given to a worthy person if it found its way to her."

Beyond academics and athletics, Bunch has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to her community. Since 2016, she has served as a junior golf coach, mentoring children ages 4-16 during summers and leading women's golf clinics at NMSU. She has also volunteered at El Caldito Soup Kitchen, supported the Mesilla Elementary Jog-a-thon, and organized campus clean-up initiatives at NMSU, where she led peers in maintaining a sustainable environment.

Bunch's leadership shines through her ability to inspire others, lead by example and confidently voicing her perspective when needed embodies the spirit of the Dinah Shore Trophy. Her impact on and off the course positions her as a role model for aspiring student-athletes.

Bunch plans to pursue professional golf and hopes to qualify for the LPGA Tour after graduation in May 2026. She intends to utilize her biochemistry degree later in life to either conduct research or serve as a mental coach for helping and inspiring other young athletes.

Established in 1994 by Friends of Golf (FOG) to honor the late Dinah Shore, a Vanderbilt graduate and honorary LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame member, the Dinah Shore Trophy has contributed over $220,000 to women's collegiate golf programs. FOG's support includes a $10,000 grant to NMSU's women's golf program this year.

Bunch joins distinguished past recipients, including LPGA Tour players Stacy Lewis (University of Arkansas, 2007), Amy Olson (North Dakota State University, 2012), and Golf Channel personality Amanda Blumenherst (Duke University, 2008, 2009).

About the LPGA Foundation
The LPGA is committed to being the global leader in women's golf and to using our unique platform to empower, inspire and advance opportunities for girls and women, on and off the golf course.

Our commitment to Changing the Face of Golf focuses on making the sport we love more diverse, accessible, and inclusive. As the philanthropic arm of the LPGA, the LPGA Foundation achieves its vision through the programs of LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, LPGA Leadership Academies, and providing grants & scholarships to those in financial need. The Foundation also includes the LPGA Amateur Golf Association, the recreational arm of the LPGA, serving 17,000 members worldwide.

Our programs advance equality by removing barriers to sports participation, ensuring that every girl and woman who wants to play has a welcoming and positive experience while taking advantage of the benefits of golf.

About the Friends of Golf (FOG)
Originally founded in 1979, Friends of Golf (FOG) has donated over $10 million to both national and Southern California college, high school and non-profit golf-focused organizations. Legendary professional golfer and Bel-Air Country Club teaching pro Eddie Merrins ("The Little Pro") and a group of Los Angeles-area golfer helped organize FOG's first annual golf tournament intended to benefit the neighboring UCLA men's golf program. Since then, FOG has hosted 42 annual charity golf tournaments at Bel-Air Country Club and honored some of the game's top stars including Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Lorena Ochoa and Collin Morikawa. FOG supports student athlete golfers by instilling the values of honesty, ethics, and fellowship with a true appreciation for the game. From the time boys and girls enter grade school through the end of their college experience, FOG makes it possible for aspiring junior golfers (irrespective of economic standing) to play, compete and excel in this exceptional sport.

FOG also founded and backs a number of leading national amateur golf awards including The Ben Hogan Trophy, presented each year to the top male college golfer and The Dinah Shore Trophy, which is similarly presented to the top female golfer through a joint venture with the LPGA Foundation. Friends of Golf, Inc. is recognized as a non-profit, tax-deductible organization through Federal I.D. #95-3668541 and the State of California Franchise Tax Board Organization #1058257.