SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara University men's golf program has announced its 2011-12 schedule, which includes 12 events (five in the fall and seven in the spring) culminated by the 2012 West Coast Conference Championships at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club in nearby Hollister, Calif.

"The schedule is set up to be challenging, while still putting us in position to be eligible for the postseason," said seventh-year Santa Clara head coach Rob Miller, who had the Broncos ranked as high as No. 75 nationally last season.  "We expect to be in the top half of the field in most events and to have a real shot at winning a few as well."

The Broncos will begin their season September 11-12 at the University of Minnesota's Gopher Invitational, followed by fall tournaments hosted by the University of Washington, University of Nevada and Cal State University Northridge.

For the second consecutive season, Santa Clara will co-host the Cabo Collegiate, in Baja California Sur, Mexico, October 27-29, at Querencia Los Cabos golf club – one of Mexico's top courses. The event, co-hosted with the University of Arkansas, will wrap up the team's fall season.

"We are trying build (the Cabo Collegiate) into a premier college tournament," said Miller. "The more quality teams we get into our event, the more opportunities we have for reciprocal invitations to premier events hosted by those that attend."

Miller returns four players from last year's team, including two-time First Team All-WCC honoree Cory Mehl (Seattle, Wash./O'Dea) and senior classmate Ronnald Monaco (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Ontario Christian).

"I also like to have a tournament in the area of our graduating seniors," said Miller.  "This year, Cory Mehl graduates so we were lucky enough to get into the University of Washington's event in the Seattle area where he is from. Also, Ronnald Monaco graduates, so we are playing a couple of events in Southern California."

The SCU roster also includes four underclassmen, returners Bobby Monaco (Eugene, Ore./South Eugene) and Scott Lowe (Calgary, Alberta Canada/Edge School) along with newcomers Colin Gunstream (Missoula, Mont./Missoula Hellgate) and Brett Komoto (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou School).

Mehl, Lowe and Bobby Monaco have each played extremely well in amateur events this summer.

"We have a very small squad this season, only six players on the team. Clearly, the most important thing for us will be to stay healthy," said Miller. "The younger guys will get plenty of playing time this season. This is a small but talented group and I am hoping that they will get stronger as the season matures."

Ronnald Monaco pictured above (Photo by John Medina)