FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 15, 2019) - Northern Arizona University's women's golf program will be adding yet another overseas talent to its already stacked roster in 2020. Ekaterina Malakhova, a Russian native, committed to NAU earlier this week and the hype is quickly building around the program that will now feature four international student-athletes on its roster.
Malakhova will head to Flagstaff with an already impressive resume. In 2018 and 2019 she took first at Russia's most prestigious tournament, the Russian Amateur Championship. She also took first at the Serbian Amateur Open in 2019, and the 2018 Estonian Amateur Open and the 2018 Cup of Russia Championship. She has been a member of the Russian National team member since 2013 and was ranked as the No. 1 rated amateur girl's golfer in Russia since 2015.
"We are very excited that Kate will be joining our program next fall," said head women's golf coach Brad Bedortha. "She will be the third Russian player to join our program and they all have been wonderful student-athletes for us. I was able to see her play in Russia two summers ago and knew immediately that we would love to have her become a Lumberjack. Kate's played a lot of international tournaments and has a lot of great experience traveling and competing all across Europe. She will add a lot of depth to our roster and will be able to come in and help us immediately."
""The location is great," said Malakhova. "I also loved the team culture and the outstanding coaching staff."
Malakhova is the daughter of Elena and Oleg and has a brother named Evengii. Her grandmother has also played a crucial role in her development leading to her signing with NAU.
"One of my dreams is to play in the LPGA," added Malakhova. "I feel that Northern Arizona gives me the best opportunity to do so."
She took home 10th-place in the European Young Masters tournament in 2017 and was also a first-place finisher consecutive years at the Russian Junior Championship (2016 & 2017).
Malakhova joins an NAU squad that has been rebuilding itself over the past couple of years and will be accompanying current sophomore golfer Aleksandra Chekalina as one of two Russian natives on the team.
"We have been really focusing on our recruiting and finding the right kind of people to be a part of our program," said Bedortha. "It is not just about being a good golfer; Malakhova embodies all the things that it means to be a Lumberjack. She is hard-working, empathetic and overall is a genuine person. We look forward to adding her to our team and can not wait to see the success she will have at NAU."
