SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara University women's golf program is preparing to host its annual SCU Colby Invitational at San Jose's Silver Creek Valley Country Club on Monday and Tuesday, October 24-25. The 36-hole tournament will begin Monday morning and run through Tuesday with 18 holes being played both days. Tee times will begin at 8 a.m. on both Monday and Tuesday.

Silver Creek Valley Country Club plays to a par-72 with a yardage of 6,146. The three-team field includes Santa Clara, Cal Poly and Northern Colorado.

"The team is getting better each time we tee it up," said second-year Santa Clara head coach Krystal Kelly about the status of her group heading into next week's tournament. "(The team) learned some really great lessons at Cal Poly. This week we're trying a few new things out at practice to help with our second round scoring average, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what impact this has on their games."

The tournament is named after Marygrace Colby, who was hired by Santa Clara University in 1963 "to direct and instruct young women in recreational and athletic pursuits." For years Marygrace selflessly and single-handedly coached ALL women's sports at Santa Clara. The tournament medalist will be honored with the 'Bill Kahl Trophy' named after long-time University professor Bill Kahl.

"Professor Bill Kahl was one of the most passionate people I have met," said Kelly. "I had the opportunity to get to know Bill and his wife Ruth at Silver Creek Valley Country Club throughout the past three years. Professor Kahl has taught me so many important lessons; I am so blessed to have known him. Being that Professor Kahl loved golf and his students at SCU so much, it just made sense to honor him at our golf tournament."

The first SCU Colby Invitational was held in 1996 in honor of Marygrace, who retired in Dec. of 1995, after 32 years working in the SCU athletic department. She will be on hand next week to watch the tournament named in her honor.

"She is truly an inspirational person," says Kelly. "I can't wait for her to say a few words to the tournament participants. Even though she is not coaching, Marygrace still shares such a passion for college athletics and her Santa Clara Broncos. I look forward to continuing this tradition and honoring Marygrace."

SCU Colby Invitational
Dates (Site): Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 24-25, 2011 (San Jose, Calif.)
Host: Santa Clara University
Tournament Field (3 teams): Santa Clara, Cal Poly and Northern Colorado.
Details: 36-hole event. Both days will begin with 8 a.m. local tee times. The field will play one round of 18 holes on Monday and one final round of 18 holes on Tuesday
Course: Silver Creek Country Club
Yardage/Par: 6,146 yards/Par 72
Website: www.SCVCC.com
Course Number/Address: (408) 239-5888
5460 Country Club Pkwy, San Jose 95138
Results: GolfStat.com