Fall Golf Tournaments Begin
Division I women's golf teams begin their fall seasons across three major September invitationals.
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Key Points
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Northern Illinois returns three players from last season’s team, including its lone senior, while adding one true freshman and two transfer athletes. The Huskies also have three additional fall tournaments scheduled after the Redbird Invitational: the Mary Fossum Invitational, Diane Thomason Invitational and Jim West Challenge.
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Washington State enters the Badger Invitational under second-year head coach Kevin Tucker, who guided the Cougars to the third-best team scoring average in program history during his first season.
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Augusta is coming off a victory at the Tiger Classic and will try to build on that momentum at Redbird. Interim coach Alison Crenshaw said the team’s confidence is “sky high,” while cautioning that “there’s always room for improvement.”
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Bucknell’s record-setting Nittany Lion Invitational included an 873 total for 54 holes—11 strokes better than the previous school record—and its back-to-back 287s in the second and third rounds established additional program marks.
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Issa’s record-setting tournament included 15 birdies across three rounds, highlighted by seven birdies in the final round and a five-under-par 31 on the front nine; she finished with rounds of 74, 71 and 67.
Division I women's golf teams are ramping up their 2026-27 seasons with three major invitationals in mid-September. Bucknell Athletics reported that Bucknell freshman Mattea Issa set a program record with a 67 at the Nittany Lion Invitational, leading the Bison to eighth place overall. Now five teams—Northern Illinois, Augusta, Washington State, Mercyhurst, and Bucknell—prepare for back-to-back tournaments from September 11-15.
Bucknell's historic performance included a 54-hole team score of 873, breaking the previous school record by 11 strokes. Augusta University Athletics noted that Augusta, coming off a Tiger Classic victory, finished second at the Redbird Invitational just two strokes behind St. Thomas. The team's interim coach said confidence is "sky high" but improvement is always possible.
Bucknell Breaks Records Before Hosting Invitational
Bucknell opened its season with record-breaking performances at Penn State's Nittany Lion Invitational on September 8. The team posted 873 for 54 holes—11 strokes better than the previous school mark—and set back-to-back single-round records with 287s in rounds two and three. Patriot League recognized freshman Issa as Women's Golfer of the Week after she fired 15 birdies across three rounds, including seven in the final round and a 31 on the front nine.
Despite the historic scoring, Bucknell placed eighth at the invitational as Virginia Tech won with a 20-under total. Now the Bison host the Bucknell Fall Invitational at their home course from September 11-13, welcoming Mercyhurst and other competitors. Issa's record 67 came in a field of elite Division I programs, showing the freshman can compete at the highest level.
Augusta Chases First Victory After Strong Runner-Up Finish
Augusta's momentum from a Tiger Classic win carried into the Redbird Invitational, where the Jaguars posted 879 (+15) to finish second, just two strokes behind champion St. Thomas. Augusta University Athletics quoted interim coach Alison Crenshaw saying the team's confidence is "sky high," though she cautioned that "there's always room for improvement." Puntita Pawichai led Augusta at Redbird, placing second individually with a 217 (+1).
The Redbird Invitational, held September 13-14 at Weibring Golf Course in Normal, Illinois, hosted Northern Illinois and Augusta in a 54-hole event. St. Thomas won with 877, while Illinois State placed third at 887 and Northern Illinois finished seventh at 911. Augusta's close runner-up finish sets up the team to pursue victory in upcoming fall tournaments.
Northern Illinois Rebuilds With Three Newcomers
Northern Illinois enters the 2026-27 season with a mix of returning players and fresh talent. Northern Illinois Athletics noted the Huskies return three players from last season, including sole senior Emily Tong, while adding one true freshman and two transfer athletes. The team competes at the Redbird Invitational September 13-14, then heads to three additional fall tournaments: the Mary Fossum Invitational, Diane Thomason Invitational, and Jim West Challenge.
Washington State Builds on Strong First Year Under Tucker
Washington State heads to the Badger Invitational at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin, from September 13-15 under second-year head coach Kevin Tucker. Washington State Athletics reported that Tucker, a WSU alumnus, guided the Cougars to the third-best team scoring average in program history during his first season, posting 297.51 per round. The three-round invitational at Wisconsin offers the Cougars a strong test against other top Division I programs early in the fall schedule.
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