Girls Golf Wins 2026 PGA High School National Invitational

Written by Chuck Nan | Santa Margarita Catholic High School

The 2026 Girls High School Golf National Invitational returned to Pinehurst Resort & Country Club July 11-13. The invite-only tournament field, made up of the premier girls high school golfers and schools from across the country, is the crowning event for team and individual national championships. Receiving an invitation is an honor based on state championship performance. Over three days, the tournament consists of 54-hole stroke play.

With Santa Margarita Catholic High School (SMCHS) sweeping every possible team championship in their pocket from the fall of 2025 in California -- from Trinity League to CIF State -- Coach Jill Hegna and her club traveled to North Carolina to earn another feather in their cap. This was their second appearance in the tournament over the past three years. The Eagles captured the trophy in 2024 in Frisco, Texas.

The Pinehurst facility holds a large significance in the history of golf and been designated as the “Home of American Golf” by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the state of North Carolina.

Day 1: SMCHS Quickly Demonstrate Elite Status

Amid sticky conditions, that included grueling heat and humidity, the Eagles exhibited their experience, poise and depth as they jumped out to take control. As a team, the four SMCHS teammates shot a scorching 283 in the first round -- five shots under par -- to take a commanding nine stroke lead. The Eagles were the only school to shoot to under par. The next closest competitor was at plus-4.

The talented band of SMCHS golfers provided the might to vault the team to a lofty advantage. Emily Song turned in a fine round as she shot 66 -- six under par, trailing the leader by just a single stroke. Teammate Angelina Tao was right there in the hunt with a 3-under par 69 that put here in a four-way tie for fourth place. Donina Zhou and Nora Qu rounded out the foursome. Each shot an impressive 2-over par on course No. 5 which measures over 6,000-yards with a par of 72. In an entry field that boasted more than 500 competitors, only fifteen individuals were able to shot below par for the first round.

Day 2: Eagles Increase Their Lead
The second round saw SMCHS increase its overall team lead to 13 shots as three girls shot par or better. The Eagles remained the only team under par for the event, by a large margin.

Zhou led the way with a 3-under par 67. Tao and Qu were both 2-under par with 68 each. Song, who was the team’s low-score the previous day, has a solid outing with a 1-over par 71.

After two days, the breakout in the race for the individual prize showed Song and Tao both at 5-under and in a three-way tie for fourth place. Both ended the session six shots back of the leader with one more round to play.

Day 3: Bringing Home the Trophy Again and Setting Course Ablaze
As expected, the third round of the tournament lacked any drama as to who would secure the team title. The only business to be decided was on the individual champion level. All four SMCHS teammates were within striking distance of the top as play commenced. Qu was the leader for the day in the group as she fired a nice 67, her best round of the event. In the end, all finished under par and in the top eleven of the competition field.

•    Angelina Tao: 7-under par (69-68-70 -- 207) -- tied for third
•    Emily Song: 6-under par (66-71-71 -- 208) -- tied for fifth
•    Nora Qu: 5-under par (74-68-67 -- 209) -- tied for seventh
•    Donina Zhou: 2-under par (72-67-73 -- 212) -- tied for eleventh

At the conclusion of 54-holes, the scoreboard flaunted SMCHS with a gaudy 836 strokes -- an incredible 20-under par and a margin of 26 strokes over the next closest team. The Eagles were the only team to break the par threshold as they again displayed dominance in the girls prep golf world – at the highest possible level. This is a fact that has resonated at nearly every level of competition, both individual and team, for the better part of a decade under the guidance of Coach Jill Hegna.

Read PGA's article featuring the SMCHS girls golf team here.