Broncos Build Momentum with Strong Fall Golf Season
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The Santa Clara University women’s golf team used the fall to demonstrate how close this group is to a breakthrough. With top-four finishes in every event,historic low rounds,and a level of consistency and chemistry head coach Krystal Kelly calls the best she’s seen in nearly 16 years,the Broncos turned the non-championship season into proof of what they’re building toward – and a preview of the ceiling they believe they can reach when the spring schedule ramps up.
SETTING THE BAR
In four tournaments, the broncos finished no worse than fourth, stacked up a 53-5-1 head-to-head record, and posted a 287.75 team scoring average that ranks 26th among all NCAA Division I programs. They opened the fall in september by winning the frist tournament of the season, marking the 19th tournament title of Kelly’s Santa Clara career. All four final team scores from the fall now sit inside the program’s top 10 – at second, third, fourth and ninth – a snapshot of just how consistent and complete the surge has been.
Santa Clara opened the Rainbow Wahine Invitational with an 8-under-par 280, the second-best 18-hole round in school history. Senior captain Audrey Brust tied her own program record with a 5-under 67 in the second round, and junior Kelsey Kim stacked consecutive 5-under 211s at the Rainbow Wahine and the Golf Iconic Classic. Kim and Brust finished inside the top 15 at all four events.
Individually, the numbers tell an equally sharp story.Kim currently owns the lowest career scoring average in program history at 73.85, while Brust sits third at 74.90. Kim logged five rounds under par in the fall – already one shy of her career best and four off the program’s single-season record of nine.
For Kelly,none of this feels like a surprise. it feels like a culmination.
WHY IT CLICKED
kelly doesn’t hesitate when asked what lit the match for this fall.
winning the 2025 National Golf Invitational.
“I think one, winning NGI was probably the catalyst for this,” she said. “Winning obviously can highly motivate people.”
But it wasn’t just that one moment. The Broncos arrived on campus with a level of competitive seasoning Kelly hasn’t seen in years.
Her players combined for roughly 23 summer tournaments – far more than usual – and they weren’t just casual reps. They were meaningful, pressure-situational rounds.
“I think coming into the season they were incredibly prepared from a competitive standpoint,” Kelly said. “And I think they also knew that we were gonna be a little bit more competitive. So it was like they had to put the time in over summer, because maybe that spot they had last year may not be their spot again.”
From there, the technical pieces they’ve been working on for more than a year finaly began to stack together.
“We really worked on off-the-tee,” Kelly said. “Off the tee, they were a lot more consistent. Ball striking was probably the best I’ve seen out of my entire almost 16 years here. They were just incredibly confident.”
Putting – especially inside 12 feet – was the final piece.
Santa Clara Women’s Golf Poised for Championship run After Strong fall Season
Santa Clara University Women’s Golf is demonstrating notable momentum heading into the winter and spring seasons, fueled by internal competition and a challenging schedule. Head Coach Kelly expresses confidence in her young and motivated team, setting their sights on a conference championship.
Fall Performance and Internal Drive
Despite being the “offseason,” the santa Clara Women’s Golf team maintained a high level of performance and dedication. The team’s internal competition is a key driver, with players like Im, who didn’t compete in the fall season, consistently pushing the top five players. This competitive spirit ensures continuous improvement and a high standard of play.
Winter Competition and focused Practice
Several Broncos are continuing to hone their skills through high-level tournaments during December. Alexa Pineda and Chloe Lam will compete in the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier on December 8th at The Olympic Club in San Francisco (The Olympic Club). Kelsey Kim will participate in the California Women’s Open from December 17th to 19th at Desert Springs in Palm Desert (California Women’s Open).
Beyond tournament play, the coaching staff is providing players with individualized practice plans to ensure purposeful training throughout the winter months. This focused approach aims to maximize improvement and maintain momentum.
strengthening the schedule for Postseason Potential
Coach Kelly emphasizes the increased difficulty of the team’s schedule in the winter and spring. “Our strength of schedule is much stronger in the winter and spring,” she stated. A more competitive schedule is expected to improve the team’s rankings, which directly impacts their potential for postseason qualification. Golf rankings are persistent by a variety of factors,including performance in tournaments and strength of competition.(Golf Rankings Explained)
Championship Aspirations
The team’s goals are aspiring. Coach Kelly openly states their desire to win a conference championship. She believes that if the top five players can perform at their best simultaneously, they will be a formidable force. “If these five can put it all together on the same day, that’s going to be an incredibly scary low score,” she said.
A Motivated Team on the Rise
Coach kelly views the fall season as a clear indication of the program’s trajectory. She highlights the team’s youth and extraordinary motivation, noting that this is the most driven team she has ever coached. This combination of talent and determination positions Santa Clara Women’s Golf for continued success.
Key Takeaways:
* Santa Clara Women’s Golf is building momentum through internal competition and focused practice.
* Players are actively competing in high-level tournaments during the offseason.
* A more challenging schedule in the winter and spring is designed to improve rankings and postseason opportunities.
* The team has a clear goal of winning a conference championship.
* Coach Kelly believes this is the most motivated team she has ever coached.
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