New Mexico Golf Hosts 48th Branch Law Firm Invitational

The first tee box breathes with the quiet tension of a Monday morning. At 7:30 a.m., a shotgun start erupts across the 6,354-yard, par-72 UNM Championship Course. The New Mexico women’s golf team begins its 2026-27 season not with a practice round, but with the weight of hosting the 48th annual Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational. The air is cool, the grass is manicured to a precise sheen, and thirteen schools stand ready to test their precision against the desert landscape of Albuquerque.

Spectators can witness the opening rounds for free, gathering along the fairways as the initial waves of players drive out. The tournament spans two days, with the final round arriving Tuesday at the same 7:30 a.m. shotgun start. For those unable to walk the course, live scoring pulses in real-time on Clippd, tracking every stroke and every shift in the standings as the season officially ignites.

Thirteen Schools Enter the Desert Grid

The field is dense with ambition. Joining the host Lobos are Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Fresno State, Montana State, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Pepperdine, Sacramento State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UTEP, UC Irvine, and UNLV. Each program brings its own rhythm and strategy to the course. The competition is a test of endurance and nerve, with players navigating the undulating terrain and the sudden traps of sand bunkers that punctuate the green.

New Mexico’s own lineup is a mix of team cohesion and individual drive. Ausanee Udkamtiang, Ava Cepeda, Chelsea Truong, Ciara Rushmer, and Julia Gelma Labarga form the core of the team effort. Alongside them, Juliette Hole, Lena Tremouille, Rebecca Galasso, and Sara Montejo Rey compete as individuals, their scores adding further layers to the complex web of the tournament’s results.

Seven Decades of Hosted Tradition

This event is not just a start to the season; it is a continuation of a long lineage. The 48th annual iteration marks the 71st year that UNM has hosted a women’s golf event. The tradition dates back to 1956, initiated in conjunction with the William H Tucker Invitational hosted by the UNM men’s team. The course has witnessed generations of players, each leaving their mark on the history of the program.

The Lobos have claimed seven team titles while hosting this specific event, with the most recent victory landing in 2008. Now, the spotlight turns to Sacramento State. As the 2025 champions, they return to Albuquerque to defend their crown. The pressure is palpable, the stakes high, and the green awaits its next set of champions.

A Season Defined by Precision

As the sun climbs higher over the Albuquerque skyline, the focus sharpens. The 48th Annual Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational is more than a series of eighteen holes; it is a declaration of intent. According to GN sports/golf (en-US), the event sets the tone for the entire year. The players step off the tee, the clubs swing with the force of commitment, and the season truly begins in the crisp, clear air of New Mexico.