Ina Kim-Schaad (2024)

A positive outlook on the 2024 season helped Ina Kim-Schaad navigate both the highs and lows of the season and ultimately earn the MGA Women’s Player of the Year honor.

After a somewhat slow start to the season that included a tie for seventh at Nassau in the Women’s Met Amateur – a championship she has won three times – Kim-Schaad claimed the New York State Women’s Amateur for the first time. She opened the championship by firing a 5-under 66, which set a women’s course record at Skaneateles Country Club. From there, Kim-Schaad posted rounds of 74-76 on Day 2 and cruised to the five-shot victory.

The win also earned her a spot in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Though she didn’t make the cut there, she advanced to match play and won a pair of matches in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship – a title she claimed in 2019.

In her final point-receiving even of the year, Kim-Schaad advanced to match play and won a match in The Farrell at The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn., allowing her to eclipse inaugural MGA Women’s Player of the Year Katie Li of Fiddler’s Elbow on the points listing.

According to Kim-Schaad, a key to the season was turning 40 last year – a moment that made her realize she wanted to make the most of competing at the highest level in the immediate future. Sporting a rejuvenated relationship with the game thanks to delving into the mental side of the game in recent years, she put together a more robust schedule and had fun competing.

“Honestly, I just love it, and I try to have fun,” says Kim-Schaad of her refreshed outlook on the game. “Sometimes it’s harder to do than others, but I genuinely have had so much fun this season through the bad and the good. Any time you win an award like this it’s such an honor, but for me with my ties with the MGA, it’s even more special,” says Kim-Schaad. “I’m very grateful for it.”

Li finished second, while MGA eClub New Jersey member Grace Lu, who won both the MGA/WMGA Women’s Public Links and WMGA Match Play “A” Championship in 2024, finished third. Alyssa Roland of Watchung Valley and Women’s Met Amateur champion Samantha Perrotta of Peddie rounded out the top five.