Senior Courtney Ferguson is one of the main reasons the University of Houston women’s golf team is headed to an NCAA regional in its first year of team competition. (Courtesy of the University of Houston)
At the time, Gerrod Chadwell thought taking over the four-member roster of the startup University of Houston women’s golf program would be the easiest job of his career.
“It was the hardest year I’ve ever had and probably ever will have in coaching,” Chadwell said of building the first-year program. “It was the longest year ever.”
One thought, however, never changed for Chadwell.
“Call me crazy, but I never not saw us getting to this point,” he said.
In the first year of existence, the Cougars will compete in NCAA regional play beginning Thursday at Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San Antonio. The Cougars are the No. 12 seed in the 18-team field.
The first season has been an overwhelming success with UH posting six top 5 finishes, including the first team title at the UNF Collegiate. The Cougars finished third in the American Athletic Conference.
“I don’t think they truly know what they’ve done,” Chadwell said.
UH announced the addition of the women’s golf program in October 2012 and hired Chadwell, an assistant coach who helped lead Oklahoma to two straight NCAA Championships appearances, the following May. The ‘Original Three’ golfers to play as individuals last season were Bellaire’s Emily Gilbreth and transfers Courtney Ferguson (Oklahoma State) and Raegan Bremer (UC Davis).
This year’s roster has one senior (Ferguson), one junior (Bremer), one sophomore (Gilbreth) and seven freshmen.
“To make it to regionals is pretty exciting,” Ferguson said. “It’s an experience we’ll remember because it’s the first year.”
Bremer, who won the program’s first individual title in 2014 at the HBU Invitational, was selected to the All-AAC team for the second year in a row. Gilbreth has a pair of top-5 finishes. The Cougars have also received strong play from a pair of freshmen – Megan Thothong won the UNF individual title and Yuka Kajiki finished third at the conference tournament.
Chadwell said the Cougars’ early success, along with first-class facilities, could turn the program into a destination for top collegiate golfers.
“We’ve got kid’s attention now,” he said.
joseph.duarte@chron.com
