Posted: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:32 PM - 8,067 Readers

By: UTSA Athletics

UTSA second-year head coach Carrie Cole announced on Thursday the signing of Chelsea Bretcher (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis HS) and Taylor Newlin (Frisco, Texas/Wakeland HS) to National Letters of Intent.

"What I am the most excited about with this class is we are getting some strong Texas talent,” Cole said. “It is so important for us to keep that Texas pride at UTSA. Both young ladies come from great families and good support systems. They will each be a big complement to the team we already have in place for next year and both will come in full of excitement to contribute to what we are building at UTSA."

Bretcher has four top-15 showings in American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) events, highlighted by a third-place finish at the Randy Smith Classic (75-75-75—225) and is a two-time Lake Travis golf team captain. She also competed at the 2009 Optimist Junior International and placed 28th after making the cut. Bretcher shot a one-over-par 73 to qualify for the 2009 Callaway Junior World Championship. She also collected first-team all-district, academic all-district and first-team all-region honors in 2008-09. She finished 11th at the 2009 4A Texas State Championships, which bolstered her to honorable mention all-state accolades. She also qualified to compete in the 2008 U.S. Juniors Girls Championship, which was held at Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, Conn.

"Chelsea is a very hard working and hungry player,” Cole said. “She has been under the radar in the golf world competing in both soccer and golf growing up. She recently found her passion for golf, which has been growing strongly. She is a great overall athlete, has a ton of energy and will bring personality and a sense of teamwork to our program. I look for her to make a immediate impact next season."

Newlin has four top-20 AJGA finishes and qualified for the U.S. Junior Girls Championships in 2009. The Frisco native finished third with scores of 70-80—150 at the 2009 4A Texas State Championships. She posted a fifth-place outing at the 2008 Junior All Star at Lubbock (77-74-79—230). Newlin was the individual medalist at the 2007 Texas State Championships and finished runner-up in 2008. She also was a three-time all-district, all-region and first-team Dallas Morning News all-area honoree. Newlin has won more than 25 local, regional and national tournaments and also holds the Twin Creeks Golf Club course record with a 62.

"Taylor comes from a solid golf background and is a very hard worker,” Cole said. “She is a perfectionist in the classroom and on the golf course. I love that she is a great ball striker and she is now really working on perfecting her short game to get her to that next level. Her strong work ethic will be key in making a big impact at UTSA."

*  Story Contributed by: UTSA Athletics