New Mexico State women's golf is making history—and it's been a long time coming. For the first time in 24 years, an Aggie will tee it up at the NCAA Women's Golf National Championship, and her name is Emma Bunch.
Bunch earned her spot in dramatic fashion at the NCAA Stanford Regional, held May 11-13 at the Stanford Golf Course in California. She finished tied for sixth overall, the highest finish among any golfer from a non-qualifying team. That performance punched her ticket to the big stage, making her the lone automatic individual qualifier in a field of 77 players.
What a run it was. Bunch stormed out of the gates, holding the lead through the first two rounds. In the opening round, she carded the lowest 18-hole score of her career with a blistering 7-under-par, featuring eight birdies and a commanding four-stroke lead. She followed that up with a 3-under second round that included two more birdies, keeping her lead at one stroke heading into the final round.
A 3-over third round dropped her to a tie for sixth alongside Arizona State's Patience Rhodes, but it was more than enough to secure her spot in the national championship. For a program that hasn't seen this level of individual success in decades, it was a moment to savor.
Now, Bunch sets her sights on the biggest stage in college golf. The NCAA Women's Golf National Championship runs from May 22-27 at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California. She will be one of just six individual qualifiers competing alongside the nation's top teams.
Bunch is only the third Aggie golfer in program history to earn a spot in the national championship, and the first since Alena Sharp in 2002. It's a milestone that speaks volumes about her talent and perseverance.
This latest achievement adds to an already impressive season. Earlier this month, Bunch was named Conference USA Golfer of the Year, cementing her status as one of the top players in the conference. As she prepares for the national championship, the Aggie faithful will be watching closely—and maybe even looking for some new gear to show their support.