Women's Golf 9/13/2024 10:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Open Season At DBU Classic

Central Oklahoma Playing 54-Hole Tournament Sunday-Tuesday

DENTON, Texas – Central Oklahoma women's golf is set to make its season debut Sunday with the first of three rounds of golf in the DBU Classic.

The Bronchos will play 18 holes each day Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday trekking around the 5,999-yard par-72 Wildhorse Golf Club at Robson Ranch.

"We're excited to get the season started," UCO head women's golf coach Michael Bond said. "It's a late start for us, so we've had a lot of time on the course to get ready. This is always a great event with tough competition. It will be this week. We're looking forward to getting started."

Bond, in his 17th season leading the women's golf program, is ready for another contending season in 2024-25. The UCO roster 10-deep this season, including seven returners with a feel for college golf and experience to help keep the Bronchos near the top.

Making the trip to Denton this week will be a five-person lineup for the Bronchos. Senior Jirasuda Khunarak is back for a fifth year of college golf and will lead the team into the opening tournament. Sophomores Estela Castillo, MaKaylee Cowan, and Scarlet Sturch will also be in the lineup, as well as freshman Layne Ailshie.

Khunarak has played in all 23 tournaments for Central Oklahoma over the past two seasons. The Saburri, Thailand native averaged a 77.3 scoring average during her junior season and then posted a 77.3 scoring average again last year as a senior. Now the fifth year will aim to continue leading the team. She has three top five finishes and seven top 10s in her career with the Bronchos.

Castillo played in all 11 tournaments as a freshman last season and is ready to contend every week in her second year with the program. The Palma, Spain native posted a 78.6 scoring average for the season and finished the season with one top 10, two top 20s, and four top 30-finishes.

Cowan played in four tournaments during her freshman season and posted an 80.3 scoring average through nine rounds of golf. The Yukon, Oklahoma native made her debut in Edmond last fall and shot a 162 with back-to-back 81s.

Sturch played in 9 of 11 tournaments during her freshman season and averaged a 78.7 mark for the season. The Durant, Oklahoma native had a 54-hole season best at Dallas Baptist in her first career tournament last season.

Ailshie is a true freshman from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma and will make her collegiate debut Sunday. The rookie won a state title in high school and led her team to a championship as well. She was named the Muskogee Phoenix Female Athlete of the Year.

Central Oklahoma has just four tournaments on the schedule for the fall season, beginning with Dallas Baptist this week. The Bronchos will preview the MIAA Championships at Meadowlark Hills Golf Course in Kearney, Nebraska Sept. 23-24.

UCO is hosting the 2025 NCAA Division II Central Region Championship at KickingBird Golf Club in Edmond. With that, similar to the MIAA Preview, the Regional Preview will be held Oct. 7-8 in Edmond. The Bronchos wrap up fall competition Oct. 14-15 with Northwest Missouri's Midwest Classic at Mozingo Lake Golf Course.

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Players Mentioned

Jirasuda Khunarak: 5' 6"; Senior

Estela Castillo: 5' 5"; Freshman

MaKaylee Cowan: 5' 5"; Freshman

Scarlet Sturch: 5' 7"; Freshman

Layne Ailshie: 5' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Jirasuda Khunarak
: 5' 6"; Senior

Estela Castillo
: 5' 5"; Freshman

MaKaylee Cowan
: 5' 5"; Freshman

Scarlet Sturch
: 5' 7"; Freshman

Layne Ailshie
: 5' 3"; Freshman