Golf Signs Two on National Signing Day

November 16, 2024

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas women’s golf head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor has announced the program’s 2025 signing class, featuring two golfers with ties to the state of Texas.

“Today is a special day for our program as we gain new family members who will impact the future of Arkansas Women’s Golf for years to come,” Estes-Taylor said. “Recruiting is an opportunity for us as coaches to identify great student-athletes who will come in and help us achieve our academic, athletic, and community engagement goals.”

Swetha Sathish

“I’m very proud to have Swetha Sathish from Canada join our team,” Estes-Taylor said. “She is living in Texas but is a proud Canadian and a member of the Canadian National Team.”

Personal

Name: Swetha Sathish
Hometown: Born in Oakville, Ontario, Canada; Currently living in Round Rock, TX
Previous School: University of Texas High School
Parents: Meen Sathish, Priya Sathish

Highlights

U19 Ontario Girls Champion (2022)
6A Texas State High School Golf Champion (2024)
Kathy Whitworth – T2 (2024)
Canadian Junior Girls – T3 (2023)
Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship – T4 (2022)
2 Years on National NextGen Team Canada
2023-24 ALL-USA TODAY HSSA GIRLS GOLF, SPONSORED BY GOLFWEEK – Girls Golf Player of the Year (Austin Area)
2024 All-Central Texas Girls Golf Player of the Year

Golf Experiences:

Winning my first major tournament (Ontario Junior Championship) was an exciting experience! I was on the 18th hole, a par-3, hitting my tee shot from an elevated tee box. My shot was almost a hole in one with the ball landing and spinning to about a foot away from the hole. It felt really special that my winning shot was almost a hole-in-one! After my winning putt, making a birdie in my final hole, I went and hugged my parents standing next to the green. I saw tears in my dad’s eyes which told me without saying a single word of how proud he was of me.
I was selected as one of the 5 national contestants for the Future Links Challenge (Drive-Chip-and-Putt equivalent in Canada). This tournament ran during the week of the CP Women’s Open at Magna Golf Club in Ontario, Canada. During the CP Women’s Open practice round, I had the opportunity to walk with Cheyenne Woods (Tiger Woods’ half-niece) for one hole and even got to putt for her on that green. On that day, I met with Brooke Henderson (my Canadian role model) and many other pros I have always looked up to. It was truly an unforgettable experience!
During the 2022 CP Women’s Open, I got the chance to be with Moriya Jutanugarn in the driving range as my swing coach was caddying for her that week. I was able to talk to Moriya for more than an hour while she was giving me a lot of tips as she was practicing. I also got to meet Aditi Ashok, who is ranked well in both the LPGA and the Ladies European tour, and someone I have always looked up to. Immediately after I came out of being “inside the ropes”, I told my dad how happy I felt to be in that environment. My dad said it all in a simple sentence, “One day, baby!” At this time, I became even more motivated to be the best professional golfer in history.

Why Sathish chose Arkansas: From my first visit to Arkansas, my family and I immediately fell in love with the coaches, teammates, golf course and practice facilities at Blessings. We strongly felt being part of the Razorback family is going to be a significant factor in helping me achieve my goal in both academics and golf. I loved the campus and it being surrounded by the Ozark mountains. I truly miss the fall changing colors in Canada and I’m really looking forward to experiencing that again in the Ozarks. I strongly believe Arkansas is going to make me a better golfer, a better student, and overall a better person with great friends and mentors for the rest of my life.

“Mike, Martina, and I both loved everything about Swetha and her family,” Estes Taylor said. “She is passionate about the game and is a sponge to grow in all areas. She comes to us with a complete game and a lot of competition under her belt. Swetha values education and is committed to helping us continue our academic and athletic successes. Swetha adds depth to us in all areas and will come in and make an immediate impact.”

Sayers Allen

“We are also adding Sayers Allen from Spring Branch, Texas to our team,” Estes-Taylor said. “We always keep a close eye on players from Texas. It is a state that is very deep in junior golf and we were lucky to connect with Sayers because we do keep a close eye on that state.”

Personal

Name: Sayers Allen
Hometown: Spring Branch, Texas
Previous School: Smithson Valley High School
Parents: Herman and Michelle Allen
Siblings: Shawnee Allen

Highlights

8 Top 5 AJGA Open and Junior All-Star finishes
Two-time Junior City champion
2023 5A state finalist
2022 and 2023 All-Area Super Team
Has four hole-in-ones

Why Allen chose Arkansas: I chose Arkansas because of the family atmosphere and it’s a program where I can see myself grow.

“Golf is a small world and it just so happens that Reagan Zibilski and Sayers Allen take from the same golf coach in San Antonio,” Estes-Taylor said. “Golf is a global game but a small game in some ways. Connections are huge in recruiting and knowing Sayers is working with the same teacher as Reagan and that was huge for us. Sayers packs a mighty punch with her work ethic, she is gritty and loves the game. We have built Arkansas Golf with players like Sayers. Sayers will thrive on our team as we will provide a great working system that will help her develop even more.”

For more information on Arkansas women’s golf, follow @RazorbackWGolf on social media.