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USA Today
11-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eastern Michigan continues its climb by contending at National Golf Invitational
Eastern Michigan continues its climb by contending at National Golf Invitational For a coach trying to grow a women's golf program, having a full dance card in May is an excellent sign of progress. Last week, Eastern Michigan sophomore Savannah de Bock became the first player in program history to compete in an NCAA postseason event (though she fell short of advancing out of her NCAA Regional). Two days later, the rest of her team teed it up at the National Golf Invitational. And despite being without de Bock – who has been a top-50 player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings but who is ineligible for the NGI this week after playing an NCAA postseason event – Eastern Michigan is contending. The Eagles' round of 3-over 291 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes in Maricopa, Arizona, left them at the top of the leaderboard. As conditions got tougher in Saturday's second round, Eastern Michigan lost ground to Santa Clara and, at 22 over, now trails that team by 10 shots entering the second round. Oral Roberts is third at 25 over and North Texas is another two shots behind that in fourth. Scores: National Golf Invitational 'I think for us, we haven't led at any point this year after a day, so I think maybe being in a lead, it's a learning experience, it's something our program has to learn, not just (the players) but the entire program,' Brewer said. Brewer, who did previous coaching stints at Georgia and USC, can't see any downside to getting these extra days of competition at the end of the season, or the weeks of preparation that led up to them. 'Why we did it, it's almost two or three weeks of practice with your team, with your players and just a chance to continue to grow them, build them and train them for when you get to NCAA regionals, they've already experienced being on campus without schoolwork or traveling during finals – things like that,' Brewer said. For his team in particular, the National Golf Invitational offered a chance for Brewer to look down the lineup, past de Bock. Junior Angelica Holman leads the team and the tournament after rounds of 69-74 at Southern Dunes. Holman, however, has entered the transfer portal. 'You'll see her name in the portal and it's a mutual thing just because there's some number issues on our side that it works better,' Brewer said. 'I don't want to lose her but at the same time, she is showing why she is one of the better players in the country and probably will have a lot of interest from multiple schools. I'm happy for her because she is a very good person.' Brewer also pointed to Julianna Go, a sophomore who Brewer has watched position herself into a leadership role over the past month. As he continues on his mission to grow the program at Eastern Michigan, Brewer will bring in three freshmen in the fall plus a transfer student from the NAIA. In his first year at Eastern Michigan, Brewer lined up a competitive, coast-to-coast schedule. He is an innovative coach looking to build a cold-weather mid-major program into a powerhouse, and a fantastic opportunity lies before him. Last May, GameAbove, whose chairman is Eastern Michigan alum Keith Stone, announced a $6.5 million commitment to the university's golf programs. The gift brought GameAbove's total commitment to the Eagles golf teams to more than $14.5 million. Postseason appearances show Brewer is moving the program in the right direction, despite being only a year in. But even by his assessment, there's more work to be done. Asked to reflect on his first year with the team, Brewer noted that he will make some different scheduling decisions in future seasons after the learning curve that the brutal weather of December, January and February brought. He's also a big believer in coaching those around him in the athletic department about what it takes to build an elite golf program that's in the same breath as, say, Michigan State or Purdue, two well-known and highly successful cold-weather golf schools. 'This event does help that along the way,' Brewer said of the NGI. Brewer knows his team is by no means out of it heading into Sunday's final round. Eastern Michigan is leading the field in birdies through 36 holes, and a 10-shot deficit is not insurmountable for a team that knows how to score. 'We have the firepower. Everyone on our team has broken par this year,' Brewer said. 'It's a golf course you can break par and it's really – it's going to tell me a lot about them as individuals.'
Khaleej Times
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Gulati secures victory at Faldo Series. as Mateiu triumphs in thrilling girl's title showdow
Raghav Gulati made it a day to remember with a sensational final round of 65, propelling him to victory at the 2025 Faldo Series at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. With earlier rounds of 70 and 66, the 17-year-old from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club finished with a total of 201, nine under par, earning a three-shot victory over second-round leader Rayan Ahmed. But the story was far from simple. The drama reached its peak on the 54th tee as Gulati and Ahmed stood tied at eight under par, both in the final group. It was there, on the last hole, that a crucial birdie from Gulati and a double-bogey from Ahmed—who dramatically hooked his drive out of bounds—sealed the deal. Gulati, who has been honing his game under the guidance of Stephen Deane at Dubai Golf, revealed how critical his mental strength was to his success: "After 45 holes, Ahmed and I were very close. I had to stay mentally strong, especially after a rocky start in the first two rounds. But today, I shot a back nine of 31, with four birdies in a row—it was hugely satisfying." Gulati is aiming for bigger things ahead, looking to break into the Top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) and secure an exemption for the 2025 US Junior Amateur Championship. For now, though, Gulati is shifting gears—'I have to go into exam mode,' he said, showing his balance of academic and athletic discipline. His victory also guarantees him a spot in the Faldo Series Grand Final, which will be held later this year at Al Ain, making the win even more rewarding as he prepares for the next level of competition. In the Girls' Division, it was a tightly contested race between Anca Mateiu from the Emirates Golf Club and Anayaa Sood from The Els Club, Dubai. With rounds of 69, 69, and 66, Mateiu triumphed with a six-under-par total, narrowly edging Sood by a single shot. Both players have proven themselves to be top-tier talents in UAE golf, and their friendly rivalry is one to watch as they continue to push each other to greater heights. With eight players finishing under par over the three rounds, the Faldo Series has once again highlighted the rising stars of the UAE golfing scene. Gulati and Mateiu are certainly names to watch as they continue to shine on the global stage. Final Results: R. Gulati (Dubai Creek) - 70, 66, 65 - 201 A. Mateiu (EGF) - 69, 69, 66 - 204 R. Ahmed (EGF) - 68, 66, 70 - 204 A. Sood (The Els Club, Dubai) - 70, 69, 66 - 205 L. Astrom (Jumeirah Golf Estates) - 68, 69, 68 - 205
Associated Press
24-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
BDO USA Teams Up With Olympian and Pro Golfer Albane Valenzuela
BDO USA, one of the nation's leading accounting and advisory firms, has signed three-time Olympian and professional golfer, Albane Valenzuela, as a brand ambassador. Valenzuela will sport the BDO logo on her polo during each of her tournaments on the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour this year. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Albane Valenzuela 'Golf is a sport of precision, discipline and excellence, which are qualities we bring to BDO clients every day to help them thrive,' said BDO USA CEO Wayne Berson. 'A three-time Olympian, standout college athlete, and rising star on the LPGA Tour, Albane is a highly accomplished golfer whose values – both on and off the course - align with ours at BDO. We are inspired not only by her worldclass dedication, but also by her commitment to raise funds for autism research through the Alexis for Autism foundation she started with her brother.' In addition to wearing BDO's logo during tournament play, Valenzuela will join the company during various personal and promotional appearances throughout the year. BDO will also support the Alexis for Autism foundation, whose focus and purpose are to organize golf events to raise funds for associations, foundations and medical research for autism. To date, the charity has raised over $300,000 for autism-related research. 'On its surface, golf looks like an individual sport, but no one thrives alone,' Valenzuela said. 'Success in sport and in business requires the collective efforts of a full team, and I felt a strong connection with the team at BDO. Their people-first culture and purpose to help people thrive, every day, is the type of culture I'm excited to be part of and represent.' ABOUT BDO USA Our purpose is helping people thrive, every day. Together, we are focused on delivering exceptional and sustainable outcomes and value for our people, our clients and our communities. BDO is proud to be an ESOP company, reflecting a culture that puts people first. BDO professionals provide assurance, tax and advisory services for a diverse range of clients across the U.S. and in over 160 countries through our global organization. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. BDO USA, P.C., a Virginia professional corporation, is the U.S. member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. For more information, please visit: ABOUT ALBANE VALENZUELA Born in New York City, and raised in Mexico City and Geneva, Switzerland, Albane Valenzuela is one of the rising stars of women's golf. She turned professional after a decorated amateur career at Stanford University, having earned her full 2020 LPGA Tour card via the LPGA Q-Series. During her four years at Stanford University, she rose to second in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and won multiple elite tournaments. She finished runner-up in the 2017 and 2019 U.S. Women's Amateur Championships and was the 2019 Pac-12 Golfer of the Year (first in program history). Albane represented Team Switzerland in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games and Team Europe in the 2024 Solheim Cup. Albane co-founded ' Alexis for Autism ' with her brother, Alexis, and together they have raised over $300,000 for ASD research. MJ Romano SOURCE: BDO USA Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/24/2025 09:15 AM/DISC: 03/24/2025 09:17 AM
