MALIBU, Calif. " Head coach Laurie Gibbs of the Pepperdine women's golf team announced today that Momoka Kobori of New Zealand will join the Waves next season after recently signing a national letter-of-intent.

"We are very excited to have Momoka join our program next fall," Gibbs said. "She is an accomplished golfer who has competed around the world and she will make an immediate impact on the team. She is a very good student who values earning a degree while preparing to be an LPGA professional."

Kobori won four times in 2015: The U16 Victorian Junior Masters in Australia, the Faldo Series Asia New Zealand Qualifing event, the South Island Women's Golf Championship and the South Island Age Group Championship. She also was runner-up at the 2015 Srixon International Junior Classic, held in Australia, and tied for seventh at the 2015 U16 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in China. Kobori is currently fifth in the New Zealand women's rankings.

"I chose Pepperdine because of the great academics and the high level of the golf team," Kobori said. "After having the opportunity to visit the campus and meet Coach Laurie and Coach Leanne (Craig), I thought Pepperdine would be an amazing place to spend four years after leaving high school. I really think that the environment of Pepperdine University will provide me with the great experience to improve both as a golfer and as a person."

Pepperdine, which has won 14 consecutive West Coast Conference championships and is seeking its 12th appearance at the NCAA Championships, will return to action in the spring season at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in nearby Palos Verdes, Calif., on February 7-9.