Clemson Women’s Golf Announces 2026 Signing Class

CLEMSON, S.C. — Head Coach Kelley Hester has announced the addition of three accomplished student-athletes to the 2026 Clemson Women’s Golf signing class. The group adds a blend of international and championship-level experience to the program.

The class includes Julia Herzberg of Gilbert, Arizona, Caroline Hawkins of Columbia, South Carolina, and Napajira “Nami” Luesattha of Chonburi, Thailand.

“This class is incredibly exciting for our program,” said Head Coach Kelley Hester. “Each of these young women has competed and won at the highest levels of junior and collegiate golf. They bring a mix of experience, personality, and competitive fire that will strengthen our lineup and reflect the culture we’ve built at Clemson. I can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make, both on the course and in the Clemson community. I believe this is one of the top recruiting classes I have put together in my 25+ years as a head coach. Coach Nahm and I work hard to bring the best of the best to Clemson, and we truly appreciate Clemson Athletics supporting Women’s Golf at such a high level to allow us to bring in this internationally elite class.”

2026 Signing Class

Julia Sakura Fujii Herzberg

• Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.
• High School: Camille Casteel High School
• Rankings & Accomplishments:
  • Ranked 50th overall in AJGA and 19th in the Class of 2026
  • Ranked 17th in the Class of 2026 by Junior Golf Scoreboard
  • Five Top-5 finishes in AJGA play this year
  • Two-time AJGA Champion
  • 2025 Curry Cup Champion
  • Ranked 2nd overall in Arizona (and 1st in the Class of 2026) on Junior Golf Scoreboard
  • Finished 2nd in the Girls Junior Americas Cup
• Why Clemson:
  “I wanted to pick a college that is in the east and has a good golf program that will challenge me to improve as a player while also offering a strong academic experience.”
• Hester on Julia:
  “Julia is one of the top junior players in the nation and looks to make an immediate impact. She is a proven winner and really knows how to compete at a high level. I just fell in love with Julia and her family from the moment we met, and I knew she would be an amazing addition to the Clemson Women’s Golf Family.”

Caroline Hawkins

• Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
• High School: Blythewood High School
• Rankings & Accomplishments:
  • Ranked 42nd in the Class of 2026 by Junior Golf Scoreboard
  • No. 1-ranked player in South Carolina
  • 2025 Class 5A Division I Individual Champion
  • Four-time State Champion — Hawkins is the only player in South Carolina high school golf history, male or female, to win four state championships. 
  • 2025 PKB Master Champion
  • AJGA Champion at the Matthew Nesmith Junior Championship in 2023
  • Member of the National Honor Society and FCA Lead Team
• Why Clemson:
  “I chose Clemson because I love the school’s atmosphere and how welcoming everyone is. I feel like Clemson will be a place where I can grow both academically and athletically.”
• Hester on Caroline
  Caroline will continue the strong tradition of in-state players we have had here at Clemson. We fought hard to get the No. 1-ranked player in the state out of Columbia and know she will be a huge asset for us on and off the course. She is a record-setting four-time State Champion, but excels in the classroom too. Simply put, Caroline is a great girl and a great golfer! She’s the type of kid who never meets a stranger and helps bring out the best in those around her. 

Napajira “Nami” Luesattha

• Hometown: Chonburi, Thailand
• Previous School: Odessa Junior College
• Rankings & Accomplishments:
  • Ranked No. 343 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR)
  • 2025 NJCAA National Individual and Team Champion, firing nine-under-par as the only player in the field under par and winning by 17 strokes. 
  • Finished the 2025 season ranked No. 1 in Junior College, with three wins throughout the year
  • Currently No. 1-ranked Junior College player for the 2025–26 season, with one win this fall
  • Owns a 70.6 scoring average in the fall season
  • Member of the Thai National Team (2024)
• Why Clemson:
  “I chose Clemson because of the city, the quality of the education, and the opportunity to compete in one of the best conferences in college golf.”
• Hester on Nami:
  “Nami is a huge signee for us. She was one of the most coveted recruits in the nation this summer, and we really had to beat out some tough competition to get her. To say she has been dominant at the NJCAA level would be an understatement. She is the real deal and will be a force at the Division I level. I believe she will help raise the competitive bar for our program.”