MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama women's golf head coach Matt Luther announced Wednesday that international student Julie Hovland (Bergen, Norway) has signed a National-Letter-of-Intent and will join the program for the 2017-18 season. 

"Julie is talented player who has a lot of experience in a strong team culture," head women's golf coach Matt Luther said.  "She's won national championships for Oslo Golf Club and that experience will be invaluable for us.  She's played well at a national and international level and has a very high ceiling."

Hovland attended Wang Toppidrett High School and is part of the Oslo Golf Club. She aided the club in winning the 2016 national championship. 

The incoming freshman will join the South Alabama women's golf roster with multiple individual top finishes under her belt. Some of Hovland's accomplishments include winning the 2015 Suzann Pettersen Junior Challenge, placing second at the 2016 Titleist Tour Series (75-71-74), fifth in the 2016  Norwegian U19 Girls Championship (70-78-72), and tied for seventh at the 2016 Greg Norman Junior Invitational (76-76-83).

Hovland will join the program in the fall of 2017 and have four years of eligibility. She chose South Alabama over South Florida and Marshall.  

"She is going to be a great addition to our program and will be a solid piece of the foundation of our program for the next four years," Luther said. 

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Chip In Club, the women's golf specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Chip In Club go directly to support the South Alabama women's golf program. For more information on how you can join visit: jaguarathleticfund.com/chipinclub.

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