PROVO, Utah — Led by Maria Jose “MJ” Barragan, Kanyanol “Naji” Aramkul and Alexa Udom, the BYU women’s golf team capped a season of growth with a team title, an individual championship and a berth to the NCAA Charlottesville Regional.
“This season the girls did a great job building their processes, learning to trust them and applying them under pressure,” said assistant coach Alex White. “They fine-tuned strategies that played to their strengths and set them up for long-term success. It was great to see them recognize what works for them individually and commit to it when it counts.”
The Cougars opened the fall at the Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Barragan placed in the top 10 and helped BYU to a sixth-place team finish.
They recorded one of their best outings of the season at the Red Raider Invitational, opening with a 1-under 287, one of their lowest team rounds of the year. Barragan tied for second with a 6-under 210, marking her second-best career finish.
BYU followed with back-to-back fourth-place finishes at the Blessings Collegiate Invitational and Dale McNamara Invitational. Aramkul posted a career-best sixth-place finish in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, going 4-over par.
“It was fun to play all together in Arkansas,” head coach Carrie Roberts said. “Getting on Golf Channel is a great opportunity for these women.”
The fall wrapped up at the Nanea Invitational in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, where BYU slid to 10th after a 16-over final round.
After a three-month break, the Cougars returned to competition at the FAU Paradise Invitational, finishing with a 1-under 863. Barragan and Lily McCauley tied for 21st at even par.
At the San Diego State Classic, Barragan tied for fourth at 4-under, helping the team to a fifth-place finish.
In Sacramento at the Causeway Invitational, the Cougars climbed to sixth, paced by Udom’s fourth-place finish at 2-under. She made three birdies and just one bogey in her second round. Barragan led the field on par-3 holes, averaging 2.87.
“Something Coach preaches is having a game plan and cues that work for you,” Udom said. “This season I perfected my approach and stuck to it. That gave me confidence to play freely.”
From March 24 to 26, BYU finished fifth at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational in Lahaina, Hawaii. The Cougars shot a 10-under in round two, their lowest team score of the season. Barragan placed fifth individually, closing with a bogey-free round.
The Cougars claimed their first tournament title of the season at the USF Invitational in San Francisco, finishing 31-over 883. BYU led the field in par 4 scoring average with 4.19 and total pars with 180. Additionally, Barragan, McCauley, Aramkul and Adeline (Anderson) Wach each placed in the top 25.
“It was exciting to get a win under our belt,” White said. “The girls played through rain and wind but stayed tough. It wasn’t just a win. It was a confidence boost and a reminder that our processes are working. Now we keep grinding.”
Barragan earned her first career individual title at USF, shooting 1-over 214 to finish two strokes ahead of second. She made three birdies and just one bogey in her final round.
“Winning as an individual meant a lot to me,” Barragan said. “I was close a few times, so getting it done in the last regular season tournament felt amazing. I want to keep getting better and be ready for whatever’s next.”
Barragan led BYU in nine of the team’s 12 tournaments and finished the season with a 71.50 stroke average, the second-best in program history behind Rose Huang’s 71.43 from 2017–18. Her 6-under 210 at the Red Raider Invitational tied for the fourth-best 54-hole score by a Cougar.
“MJ had one of the better seasons in BYU history,” Roberts said. “She was consistent, earned her first win and tied for first in the Mexico Amateur. That’s a strong resume, all in one year.”
At the Big 12 Championship, BYU placed eighth at 46-over. The Cougars posted the third-best par-5 scoring average at 4.97, while Aramkul finished in the top 15 at 6-over. Her even-par second round, which included six birdies, marked the highest individual finish at a conference championship in program history.
“This season was a good start for me,” Aramkul said. “I’m proud of the results, but even more grateful to be part of this team. My favorite memories are just being in it with this group.”
BYU earned the No. 9 seed at the Charlottesville Regional but missed the cut to nationals by 19 strokes after tough rounds two and three.
“It’s always a good season when you get a team win and make the postseason,” Roberts said. “Add in MJ’s individual title, and it was a successful year. Our goal now is to build national relevance. Sprinkling in a few more wins would be ideal.”
The Cougars return three starters next season but will graduate seniors Udom and Wach.
“We’re going to miss the seniors,” Roberts said. “Adeline and Alexa brought maturity and leadership. Respect and team unity were off the charts thanks to the way they handled team dynamics.”