MARICOPA, Ariz. - Santa Clara women's golf is one of 10 teams that will play in the inaugural National Golf Invitational, a new collegiate event to by played May 11-14 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. Presented in partnership with Golfweek, the 2023 Women's National Golf Invitational will feature 10 college teams competing in a 54-hole stroke-play tournament. 

"We are super excited to play in the inaugural NGI at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes," head coach Krystal Kelly said. "Being able to play competitive golf in May is something each team dreams of."

In May 2022, the NCAA announced it would allow schools to play in one season-ending event, similar to college basketball's NIT. By July 2022, the inaugural National Golf Invitational was created in a partnership between Golfweek and Ak-Chin Southern Dunes with Golfweek's Lance Ringler serving as the Invitational's tournament director. A committee determined the invitation-only field using both the Golfweek/Sagarin and Golfstat rankings, while also considering teams who had strong regular seasons.

The 10-team field features Penn State, Mercer, Western Carolina, Iowa, Texas State, UC Riverside, Middle Tennessee, Grand Canyon University and Seattle in addition to the Broncos.

Santa Clara is very familiar with the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. The Broncos participate annually in the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic, which is held at the historic course, and in 2021, Santa Clara won both team and individual championship titles at the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic. Claire Choi won medalist honors at 3-under 213 while the Broncos were 16-over and held off Long Beach State to capture their first team title since 2018.