University of North Texas Athletics
11/11/2026 3:58:00 PM | Women's Golf
DENTON, TX – Keya Badugu, Korrawan Bennukul, and Kotchakorn Nimnual were unveiled Wednesday afternoon as the newest Mean Green women's golf student-athletes when Head Coach Michael Akers released his signing day class.
"I am thrilled to sign these three elite golfers. This is probably the best signing class of my career. They all have vast international playing experience and will make an immediate impact to our program. I am serious about making it to the National Championship soon and these players give us the depth we need to make that a possibility," Akers said.
"All three ladies want to play on the LPGA tour. They all possess the ability and drive to make that happen. We have the resources and tournament schedule to help them achieve their goals."
Badugu comes to Denton via New Delhi, India, where she will pursue a degree in sports psychology. Prior to signing, she was the top ranked Indian amateur golfer and part of India's National Golf Team. Badugu represented India in the Australian Master of the Amateurs and Queen Sirikit Cup and finished the season ranked No. 1 in India and finished third in the Amateur Order of Merit 2025.
Beyond representing her national team, The New Delhi native won the 2nd Bali International Amateur Championship in 2024, as well as the IGU Tamil Nadu Ladies and Junior Girls National Golf Championship 2025. More recently, she won the IGU Rotary Southern India National Golf Championship 2026.
A native of Nonthaburi, Thailand, Bennukul is currently undeclared on her major but will be exploring Business Marketing/Management to start. Like Badugu, Bennukul made appearances for her homeland's national team – competing for Thailand Women's National Golf Team (TALGA) for 2022–2023 and 2026–2027. She also represented Thailand in international competitions, including the FCG International and Uswing Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego, California, and earned the Best Amateur title at the Thai LPGA Masters 2026.
Alongside her athletic achievements, she was active in school leadership as Class President throughout high school, and 2nd rank academic excellence awardee in the English-Mathematics Program.
Finally, Nimnual makes her way to UNT through Ratchaburi, Thailand, and is still yet to decide her academic path for when she arrives. The Thailand native has several podium finishes under her belt, winning the 2026 Thailand Junior Golf Tour #3 and 2026 Thailand Step-Up Kids Golf Tournament. She also placed second at the Chang Thailand Junior Golf Circuit 2025 – International Championship and Junior Asian Tour 2026 – #3.
Off the links she received the Outstanding Youth Award for Bringing Honor to Thailand award, presented by the Ministry of Education.
The three golfers will join the team in 2027.
WHAT AKERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT EACH STUDENT-ATHLETE…
ON KEYA BADUGU - "Keya should make an immediate impact to our starting five this spring. We have been a player down this fall, but she will make a big difference. I only scheduled three fall events because I knew we would be back to full strength in the spring. Our spring schedule is loaded."
ON KORRAWAN BENNUKUL - "Korrawan is on the Thai National Team which is a very big deal. I have watched her play, and she is very smooth. She visited campus last year and was very impressed with our facility, campus and access to area courses. She has a great personality and will fit in very well with our group."
ON KOTCHAKORN NIMNUAL - "Kotchakorn is also a very good player. She has a very impressive WAGR ranking. I know her attention to detail is off the charts. Kotchakorn works hard and will also make a difference to our goal of winning a conference championship."
#GMG
"I am thrilled to sign these three elite golfers. This is probably the best signing class of my career. They all have vast international playing experience and will make an immediate impact to our program. I am serious about making it to the National Championship soon and these players give us the depth we need to make that a possibility," Akers said.
"All three ladies want to play on the LPGA tour. They all possess the ability and drive to make that happen. We have the resources and tournament schedule to help them achieve their goals."
Badugu comes to Denton via New Delhi, India, where she will pursue a degree in sports psychology. Prior to signing, she was the top ranked Indian amateur golfer and part of India's National Golf Team. Badugu represented India in the Australian Master of the Amateurs and Queen Sirikit Cup and finished the season ranked No. 1 in India and finished third in the Amateur Order of Merit 2025.
Beyond representing her national team, The New Delhi native won the 2nd Bali International Amateur Championship in 2024, as well as the IGU Tamil Nadu Ladies and Junior Girls National Golf Championship 2025. More recently, she won the IGU Rotary Southern India National Golf Championship 2026.
A native of Nonthaburi, Thailand, Bennukul is currently undeclared on her major but will be exploring Business Marketing/Management to start. Like Badugu, Bennukul made appearances for her homeland's national team – competing for Thailand Women's National Golf Team (TALGA) for 2022–2023 and 2026–2027. She also represented Thailand in international competitions, including the FCG International and Uswing Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego, California, and earned the Best Amateur title at the Thai LPGA Masters 2026.
Alongside her athletic achievements, she was active in school leadership as Class President throughout high school, and 2nd rank academic excellence awardee in the English-Mathematics Program.
Finally, Nimnual makes her way to UNT through Ratchaburi, Thailand, and is still yet to decide her academic path for when she arrives. The Thailand native has several podium finishes under her belt, winning the 2026 Thailand Junior Golf Tour #3 and 2026 Thailand Step-Up Kids Golf Tournament. She also placed second at the Chang Thailand Junior Golf Circuit 2025 – International Championship and Junior Asian Tour 2026 – #3.
Off the links she received the Outstanding Youth Award for Bringing Honor to Thailand award, presented by the Ministry of Education.
The three golfers will join the team in 2027.
WHAT AKERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT EACH STUDENT-ATHLETE…
ON KEYA BADUGU - "Keya should make an immediate impact to our starting five this spring. We have been a player down this fall, but she will make a big difference. I only scheduled three fall events because I knew we would be back to full strength in the spring. Our spring schedule is loaded."
ON KORRAWAN BENNUKUL - "Korrawan is on the Thai National Team which is a very big deal. I have watched her play, and she is very smooth. She visited campus last year and was very impressed with our facility, campus and access to area courses. She has a great personality and will fit in very well with our group."
ON KOTCHAKORN NIMNUAL - "Kotchakorn is also a very good player. She has a very impressive WAGR ranking. I know her attention to detail is off the charts. Kotchakorn works hard and will also make a difference to our goal of winning a conference championship."
#GMG
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