Sept. 10, 2009

Cloud nine are two words that best describe the University of Texas-Pan American women's golf program. After capturing the first-ever Great West Conference Championship and then following that up with the National Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, what more could the third year Director of Men and Women's Golf (Ofelia Lopez) ask for.

"Excitement and nervousness run through me for this upcoming season. I'm excited to continue to build off from our successes from last season, but I realize it is going to be hard to stay on top," said Director of Men and Women's Golf Ofelia Lopez. "This season I am looking forward to the challenge of bringing these five girls together as a team to become that winning team defending their title."

The women's team returns four of last season's bunch with senior Rebecca De Leon, junior Haley Hocott and sophomores Majo Camey and Sarah Kothny. The Lady Broncs will have a fresh face on the team with the addition of Stephanie Wright from Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.

Four-year veteran Rebecca De Leon returns to finish her collegiate golf career with UTPA. De Leon concluded her junior campaign competing in four tournaments with a stroke average of 85.75 and a low-round of 78 in the first round of the 2009 Claud Jacobs Intercollegiate.

"Rebecca is entering her senior season with us and I feel she will come out and have the best year in golf due to her dedication and passion for the game," Lopez said.

"She worked really hard on her swing this past year and if she's confident enough and trusts in it, she will be able to have that standout season she wants."

Great West Conference champion Haley Hocott returns for her third season with the Lady Broncs after earning her first-ever collegiate tournament title. The San Antonio, Texas native grew out of her shell from freshman season and proved to everyone that she was the player she could be.

Along with earning her first collegiate tournament title, Hocott also earned Great West Conference Spring All-Academic Team and NGCA All-American Scholar honors.

"Haley grew mentally and as a player, which was key for her and led her to win her first collegiate tournament title," Lopez said. "She's a great leader with all her ambitions."

A native of Cuidad, Guatemala, sophomore Majo Camey made her mark in her very first collegiate golf tournament when she shot a 69 in the third round of the UC Classic. Camey went down in the record books with the lowest round shot in the program's history. She then went on to win the National Minority Collegiate Golf Tournament in Port St. Lucie, FL.

"I was very proud of Majo for accomplishing so much as a freshman. She got injured during the season, but it only made her appreciate the game more. By the end of the season, she was the Majo that we knew in the beginning," said Lopez.

"Majo has that fire within to play which will push her to do great things this coming season."

Sarah Kothny, a sophomore from Kingwood, Texas, returns for her second season donning the Bronc green and orange. Kothny concluded her freshman campaign with eight tournaments played with an 83.3 stroke average. Kothny shot a low-round of 74 in the second round of the UC Classic, her first tournament of the fall season.

"As a freshman, Sarah put a lot of pressure on herself, which caused her to not have as much fun as she should have," Lopez said of Kothny.

"She tried to be a perfectionist, which isn't a bad quality, but if she carries what she learned into this coming season, this season should be her coming out season. I am looking for her to do wonderful things this season and be a great contributor to the team."

With four returnees from last season, the Lady Broncs added one more to the roster with the addition of Stephanie Wright. Wright earned multiple honors during her prep career at Westdale Secondary School and in junior golf. She also captured the 2007 Golf Association of Ontario District Junior Girl's Championship.

"Stephanie has the desire to get to bigger places. She brings that spunk and laughter to the team and is truly amazed to join a team that won conference and minority and is coached by the conference coach of the year," Lopez said.

"She wants to add to the continuing success this program has."

The Lady Broncs will feature 10 tournaments this upcoming season with four tournaments in the fall and six in the spring. The Lady Broncs will look to defend their conference title and bring home the fifth National Minority Collegiate Golf Championship title.

The Lady Broncs kick-off the 2009 fall season at the Texas A&M Mo'Morial Tournament, which features some of the top-50 programs in the nation. The women will have a bit of a less grueling schedule as they will host two tournaments at home. The Lady Broncs will host the UTPA Golf Classic to conclude the fall season and will host conference in the spring.

The Lady Broncs will use the UTPA Golf Classic as a pre-conference tournament, which will be held at the Los Lagos Golf Course. The women will embrace the challenge brought forth this season after capturing the first title last season. They experienced losing and they experienced winning and they know that it takes five girls to win and lose at the same time.

"This is the first season we have a strong schedule. I am excited about it but realistic at the same time. We have nine days to prepare for our biggest competition, and in those nine days I will be able to tweak their short game and put them in situations so they can play better," said Lopez.

The Lady Broncs will also make two trips to Florida this season as they compete in the Canes and Cardinals Classic hosted by the University of Louisville and University of Miami. The tournament will serve as a test and preparation for the last two tournaments of the spring season.

With the 2009 fall season just days away, the Lady Broncs begin their trek for perhaps their hardest season yet. Whatever hurdles are ahead, the Lady Broncs will be there to overcome them and get to where they want to be...the best.

UTPA Sports Information