SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara women's golf team opens the 2016-17 season on Monday at the Texas Tech Red Raider Invitational. The 54-hole event will take place over two days at the 6,541-yard, par 72 The Rawls Course in Lubbock, Tex.
The Broncos enjoyed a successful last season with three team titles and four individual medalists, but this year's iteration will have a different look. Three seniors who figured prominently in the accomplishments from 2015-16 have moved on.
Annie Freman, who won two individual titles last season and the program leader with five during her career, is the lone senior on this year's team. She has participated in every event over her three years and will play out of the No. 1 spot in the first event of the year.
"Overall this is a very young team and gaining more tournament experience is going to be key for us. This season we are going to be focused on process and preparation, and not be so consumed by the outcome," head coach Krystal Kelly said.
The 15-team Red Raider Invitational is the first of five fall tournaments for the Broncos. Also competing are Oregon, New Mexico State, East Tennessee State, Kennesaw State, Cincinnati, Iowa, North Florida, Central Arkansas, Tulsa, Augusta, Princeton, Wichita State, North Texas, and tournament host Texas Tech.
"This is a great field so we will be challenged," Kelly added.
Newcomers sophomore Chloe Wong and freshman Keilyn Ing will compete in their first event for Santa Clara. They will be joined by juniors Kristin Le and Kyleigh Moreno in Texas. "I'm very optimistic and can't wait to see what this group can accomplish together," Kelly said.
The Broncos have captured nine tournament titles since Kelly took over in the spring of 2011, doubling the program's total. "The foundation has been laid so now it's time to continue to grow and build on that," Kelly said about her 2016-17 team. "This is one of the smallest rosters I've ever had, but I have been impressed with their work ethic this week."
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Name: Red Raider Invitational
Dates (Site): Monday and Tuesday, Sep. 12-13 (Lubbock, Tex.)
Host: Texas Tech University
Tournament Field (15 teams): Augusta, Central Arkansas, Cincinnati, East Tennessee State, Iowa, Kennesaw State, New Mexico State, North Florida, North Texas, Oregon, Princeton, Santa Clara, Texas Tech, Tulsa, Wichita State.
Details: Teams and individuals will play 36 holes on Monday with a final round of 18 holes on Tuesday. The schedule calls for a 6 a.m. (PT) start on both days.
Course: The Rawls Course
Yardage/Par: 6,541 yards/Par 72
Website: www.therawlscourse.com
Results: Golfstat.com
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