April 28, 1998

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Towa Okiyama, Kristen Pepe and Charlotte Svennevig have all signed national letters-of-intent to play for Kentucky next year. “We are extremely excited about these signings,” Evans said. “With the departure of two talented seniors (Heather Kraus and Julie Palmer), we needed some impact golfers who could help us immediately. I feel that we have found them with these three.”

Okiyama, a native of Ibaraki, Japan, attends St. Stephen’s Episcopal School as well as the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Fla. During her high school career, Okiyama has claimed 13 first-place honors while finishing in the top three 20 times. Some of her top finishes include a first-place finish at the Temecula International Juniors, as well as second-place showings at the Florida Junior Golf Association’s British Junior Open and the Greater Tampa Junior Golf Association’s Saddlebrook Open.

Pepe, from McKeesport, Pa., carries a two handicap and often competed on the Sierra Catholic boys’ team. Pepe shot a six-under-par, 68, to finish with medalist honors at her high school tournament last fall and later finished in second place at the U.S. Junior Girls Championship with a round of 77, shooting 35 on the back nine.

Svennevig, a native of Esbjerg, Denmark, carries a 2.9 handicap and was named a member of the Danish National Junior Girls Team. During the 1997 season, Svennevig posted seven top-10 performances, including winning the ladies championship at the Esbjerg Golf Club Championships and finishing second at the Danish National Foursome Championships at Odsherreds Golf Club.