EL PASO, Texas – The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) women’s golf squad is set to launch its 2026‑27 season at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The tournament, held on the University of New Mexico Championship Course (par 72, 6,354 yards), will feature a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. MDT on Monday, with the final round scheduled for Tuesday.
First Mountain West competition for the Miners
This event is the inaugural fall tournament for the Miners and the first appearance of UTEP’s women’s golf program as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The move to the Mountain West aligns the team with regional rivals and provides a stronger competitive platform for the program’s growth.
Roster heading to New Mexico
Traveling to Albuquerque are five scholarship athletes: Camila Echavarri, Blanca Yrizar, Luciana Origel, Atikan Cherdchoo and Taline Kyoumjian. In addition, senior Essi Ekholm will compete as an individual. Both Echavarri and Ekholm are international signees and will make their collegiate debuts at this tournament.
Field of competition
The Miners will face a robust field that includes the host New Mexico team and other Mountain West schools such as Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Fresno State, Montana State, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Pepperdine, Sacramento State, Texas A&M‑Corpus Christi, UC Irvine and UNLV. The diverse lineup promises a challenging start to conference play.
What this means for UTEP athletics
Joining the Mountain West marks a significant step for UTEP athletics, reinforcing the university’s commitment to providing student‑athletes with high‑quality competition and exposure. For the women’s golf team, the move offers regular matchups against established programs and the chance to showcase the talent of its new international recruits.
Looking ahead
After the Albuquerque tournament, the Miners have three additional fall events on their schedule before the spring season begins. Success in these early contests will set the tone for the rest of the year and help the team gauge its standing within the conference.
Fans of UTEP athletics can follow the Miners’ progress through the university’s official athletics website and social media channels. The team’s performance in Albuquerque will be a key indicator of how well the program adapts to its new conference home.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
