The field for the women’s event has been set at the inaugural National Golf Invitational. This new postseason college event will be held May 11-14, 2019 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, Maricopa Arizona.
The 2023 Women’s National Golf Invitational, presented in partnership with Golfweek will feature 10 college golf teams competing in an 54-hole stroke play tournament.
The 10 teams are Penn State, Mercer (Western Carolina), Texas State, Santa Clara (UC Riverside), Middle Tennessee, Grand Canyon, Seattle, and Western Carolina.
“I cannot begin to describe how thrilled I am and how long I’ve been waiting to host this event. Ringler stated that the event will be taken to a new level with the help of Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, and its staff. Growing up as a basketball fan and my passion for college-golf helped to bring the NIT of College Golf in the NGI to life. Each May, I will look forward to this event.
Most importantly, college-level golf is ready for such a postseason event. Many schools invest a great deal of resources in their college golf program. This opportunity to compete in a postseason tournament is something that many more teams can realistically strive for.
The NCAA announced in May 2022 that it would allow colleges to participate in a single season-ending tournament, similar to the NIT for college basketball. In July 2022, was the first National Golf Invitational, created by Golfweek in partnership with Ak-Chin Southern Dunes. Lance Ringler, Golfweek, served as the Invitational’s tournament director. The committee used the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings and Golfstat to determine the invitation-only field. They also considered teams that had had successful regular seasons.
“Over five-years ago, I was sitting with some of my best friends brainstorming how we could make this tournament a game changer. This dream has become a reality thanks to the partnership with Golfweek and Lance, said Brady Wilson, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes’ general manager. “As an ex-basketball coach, I cannot wait to turn Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club into the Madison Square Garden for college golf. We are looking forward to creating memories and experiences that will last a lifetime for these student-athletes.
Later, the teams that will compete in the Men’s National Golf Invitational 2023, which is scheduled to take place May 18-21, are going to be announced.
