University of Delaware Athletics
From Moscow to Delaware: Alisa Khokhlova’s Journey to the Blue Hens
11/21/2024 1:59:00 PM | Women's Golf
By: Alyssa Baronio
Finding a passion for their sport is a gradual process for most young athletes. But for one golfer, a childhood introduction to the game by her mother in Moscow, Russia, sparked a love that has taken her halfway across the world.
Alisa Khokhlova was just nine years old when her mother brought her to a golf course in Moscow. At that time, golf was not a popular sport in Russia, especially among young girls. Initially, the game of golf did not capture her interest until her first practice, where her love for the sport began. For six years, Khokhlova sharpened her skills in Russia, where the limited competition pushed her to face greater challenges. At the age of 15, she moved to Spain for her last three years of high school to compete in a more energetic golf community. It was in Spain that her talent began to grow. Khokhlova explained that the first time she played 18 holes, she knew she wanted to take her talents further. By 17, she achieved one of her proudest moments: winning the Championship of Catalonia, a crowning accomplishment in her golf career.
Watching older girls pursue collegiate golf in the U.S. inspired Khokhlova to follow a similar path. The idea of combining elite-level golf with a strong education became her dream. The dream became reality when a tournament in Germany brought her to the attention of University of Delaware Director of Golf Programs Patty Post.
At 18, Khokhlova took the step to move to the U.S., joining the Blue Hens and majoring in environmental engineering. The pace was different, and as an international student, she faced cultural adjustments and periods of homesickness. But the tight-knit community she found on the golf team made a world of a difference. Unlike in Russia and Spain, where golf was a more individual sport, playing in Delaware introduced her to team dynamics.
In her first two years, she balanced her academics and athletics quite effectively. As she transitioned into her junior and senior years, the demands intensified. Early morning lifts at 7 a.m., and practices and weekend tournaments demand serious time management. Khokhlova says that she ensures to never skip classes and completes all of her work in advance.
To say her hard work and dedication have paid off is an understatement. She has become a standout golfer for Delaware, earning much recognition. Khokhlova is a two-time winner of the Lady Blue Hen Invitational, the team's home tournament in Rehoboth Beach. This accomplishment made her only the second two-time champion in the tournament's 11-year history, and one of just three Blue Hens to win it. She has also been named to the All-CAA First Team and has twice been chosen as CAA Women's Golfer of the Week.
Khokhlova's advice to young athletes who were once in her shoes is to "never give up." She explains that the journey to find the perfect school can feel overwhelming and filled with uncertainty. However, she firmly believes that in the end, you will "End up exactly where you are meant to be," just as she did in her own experience.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware women's golf, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Finding a passion for their sport is a gradual process for most young athletes. But for one golfer, a childhood introduction to the game by her mother in Moscow, Russia, sparked a love that has taken her halfway across the world.
Alisa Khokhlova was just nine years old when her mother brought her to a golf course in Moscow. At that time, golf was not a popular sport in Russia, especially among young girls. Initially, the game of golf did not capture her interest until her first practice, where her love for the sport began. For six years, Khokhlova sharpened her skills in Russia, where the limited competition pushed her to face greater challenges. At the age of 15, she moved to Spain for her last three years of high school to compete in a more energetic golf community. It was in Spain that her talent began to grow. Khokhlova explained that the first time she played 18 holes, she knew she wanted to take her talents further. By 17, she achieved one of her proudest moments: winning the Championship of Catalonia, a crowning accomplishment in her golf career.
Watching older girls pursue collegiate golf in the U.S. inspired Khokhlova to follow a similar path. The idea of combining elite-level golf with a strong education became her dream. The dream became reality when a tournament in Germany brought her to the attention of University of Delaware Director of Golf Programs Patty Post.
At 18, Khokhlova took the step to move to the U.S., joining the Blue Hens and majoring in environmental engineering. The pace was different, and as an international student, she faced cultural adjustments and periods of homesickness. But the tight-knit community she found on the golf team made a world of a difference. Unlike in Russia and Spain, where golf was a more individual sport, playing in Delaware introduced her to team dynamics.
In her first two years, she balanced her academics and athletics quite effectively. As she transitioned into her junior and senior years, the demands intensified. Early morning lifts at 7 a.m., and practices and weekend tournaments demand serious time management. Khokhlova says that she ensures to never skip classes and completes all of her work in advance.
To say her hard work and dedication have paid off is an understatement. She has become a standout golfer for Delaware, earning much recognition. Khokhlova is a two-time winner of the Lady Blue Hen Invitational, the team's home tournament in Rehoboth Beach. This accomplishment made her only the second two-time champion in the tournament's 11-year history, and one of just three Blue Hens to win it. She has also been named to the All-CAA First Team and has twice been chosen as CAA Women's Golfer of the Week.
Khokhlova's advice to young athletes who were once in her shoes is to "never give up." She explains that the journey to find the perfect school can feel overwhelming and filled with uncertainty. However, she firmly believes that in the end, you will "End up exactly where you are meant to be," just as she did in her own experience.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware women's golf, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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