Paul Brilliant

Women’s Golf Head Coach

On April 25, the New Mexico State women’s golf team was extended an at-large bid to compete in the NCAA West Regionals to be held at Washington National Golf Club in Auburn, Washington, hosted by University of Washington, May 5-7. The field consists of 24 teams and six individuals and the top eight finishers join the top eight finishers from the Central Regionals and the East Regionals to go to the finals at Texas A&M the week of May 15-21.

The Aggie traveling team will consist of junior Ashley Elias, freshman Demi Mak, senior Buz Bowerman-Ritchie, and Pang Chanachai and Mint Swaschuto, who are both in graduate school because the NCAA allows you to be eligible for four years of the five years are enrolled in the University. Mint will finish her master’s degree this year, and Pang next year. This year, Pang and Demi were named to the first team All-WAC and coach Jackie Booth and myself were voted WAC Coach of the Year.

This has been a very special team because these seniors are our first graduating class since coach Booth and I have returned to NM State. They have really worked hard at school and golf and having them excel in both makes us very proud and also thankful to those in the athletic department who help with academics, weight training, compliance, finance and also those who keep us healthy.

As you can see, athletic teams are very complex and it takes University-wide support of professors, advisors, teaching assistants, tutors, International program personnel, financial aid and many more to allow these student-athletes to receive the best education and the best in athletic competition and facilities for their tenure at New Mexico State University.

Those of you who have been around Las Cruces for some time may remember we hosted the 1968 Men’s NCAA National Championship and the 1988 Women’s NCAA National Championship, NM State finished ninth and Jackie Vigil of NM State finished fourth. It was a great event and the people of Las Cruces lined up and down the 1st and 10th fairway, and there are still coaches who say “that was the best championship.” We once again want to thank all those who have supported both golf teams and if you would like to follow the team at the Regionals, there is live scoring at Golfstat.com.