Coach Rickel Assembles Toughest Women's Golf Schedule
8/1/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University head women's golf coach Brad Rickel begins his eighth season at the helm and has put together the toughest schedule in Bulldog history for 2014-15.
But he's confident his squad will be up to the challenge.
"We're excited about the schedule. It's by far the toughest schedule I've ever put together and I did that because we believe we have the deepest team we've ever had," Rickel said.
After earning an at-large NCAA Regional berth each of the past two years, the Bulldogs lost just senior Tai Jade 'TJ' Kliebphipat after last season. Returning to the fold this year are seniors Alice Kim and Han Wu; juniors Raychelle Santos and Angela De Villa, and sophomore Ciera Min. Add to the mix incoming freshman Lou Daniella Uy who is coming off a championship in the Girls' 15-17 Callaway Junior World Championships at Torrey Pines Golf Course - North Course in San Diego and the Bulldogs have what is arguably their deepest team ever.
The season begins Sept. 8-9 when the Bulldogs travel to Fort Collins, Colo., to play in the Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic hosted by Colorado State University. The Bulldogs will be returning to the Jack Nicklaus signature course for the first time since the 2007-08 season.
"Colorado State is a great event to get it started," Rickel said of the season opener.
The Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational at the University of New Mexico Championship Course is next on the docket Sept. 15-16.
"New Mexico is a new event I've never been to in all my years of coaching," Rickel said of the inaugural appearance for the Bulldogs in the event.
One of Gonzaga's favorite tournaments, the Edean Ihlandeldt Invitational hosted by the University of Washington, will once again be held at famed Sahalee Golf Course Oct. 7-8.
"We love that golf tournament," Rickel said.
Another new event on the Gonzaga slate is the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown Oct. 26-28 to bring an end to the fall campaign.
"We're looking forward to our first appearance in the UNLV tournament," Rickel noted. "It will be a good way to end the fall season."
The spring season opens Feb. 14-15 with the Bulldogs in the Peg Barnard Invitational hosted by Stanford University on the Stanford Golf Course. Rickel said his squad is looking forward to their inaugural trip to Stanford.
"We are very excited and very much appreciate being invited to that prestigious event," Rickel said.
Gonzaga will once again be in the field of the UC Irvine Invitational Presented by KIA Feb. 23-24 at the Santa Ana, Calif., Country Club. The tournament medalist will receive a sponsorship exemption in the LPGA's Kia Classic to be played March 27-30 at the Aviara Golf Club located at the Park Hyatt Resort in Carlsbad, Calif. Kim won medalist honors and the exemption in 2013.
Yet another new tournament experience awaits the Zags March 9-10 in the Bay Area Collegiate hosted by the University of San Francisco at Meadow Club in Fairfax, Calif.
"It will be exciting to see and play an Alister McKenzie course," Rickel beamed.
McKenzie was a British golf course architect whose course designs span four continents. He is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame with designs that include Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., which was designed in 1933, one year prior to McKenzie's death, and is the site of The Masters every year.
Kim and Min will return to their homeland March 23-25 for the Anuenue Spring Break Classic at The Bay Course in Kapalua, Maui. It's the first time since the 2009-10 season Gonzaga's trip to the Islands won't take them to play in the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational in Kaneohe, Hawai'i.
"It will be good for Alice and Ciera to get to the Islands," Rickel said.
After two years driving across the state to Bremerton, Wash., for West Coast Conference Championship at Gold Mountain - Olympic Course, Gonzaga will head to Somis, Calif., north of Los Angeles for this year's event April 13-15. The tournament will be played at Saticoy Country Club, hosted by Pepperdine University and the WCC. Kim is the defending champion, becoming the second Bulldog to win the title.
"We have never been to this course, so it will be another new golfing experience for us," Rickel said. "We're excited about the upcoming year. It's the best schedule we've ever had and we'll be tested at every event."
2015 Gonzaga University Women's Golf Schedule
September
8-9 - Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic, Fort Collins, Colo. (Ptarmigan Country Club. 15-16 - Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational, Albuquerque, NM (University of New Mexico Championship Course).
October
7-8 - Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational, Sammamish, Wash. (Sahalee Country Club); 26-28 - Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown, Las Vegas, Nev. (Stallion Mountain Golf Club).
February
14-15 - Peg Barnard Invitational, Stanford, Calif. (Stanford Golf Course); 23-24 - UC Irvine Invitational Presented by KIA, Santa Ana, Calif. (Santa Ana Country Club).
March
9-10 - Bay Area Intercollegiate, Fairfax, Calif., (Meadow Club); 23-25 - Anuenue Spring Break Classic, Kapalua, Maui (The Bay Course).
April
13-15 - WCC Championship, Somis, Calif. (Saticoy Country Club - hosted by Pepperdine University).
May
7-9 - NCAA Regional, TBA.
