Bunch honored for golf excellence, leadership and community service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., July 23, 2025 – 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 could not be more grateful,” expressed Bunch. “I am 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 am so happy 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 voice her perspective when needed. She 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 to help 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).

New Mexico State University’s Emma Bunch Awarded 2025 Dinah Shore Trophy

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