MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho women's golf begins a new era Monday, at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational hosted by New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M. Two rounds will be played Monday, beginning at 7:30 a.m. MT, followed by the final round Tuesday, also beginning at 7:30 a.m. MT.
 
NEW LEADER: First-year head coach Lisa Ferrero enters her first tournament leading the Vandals. Ferrero comes to the Vandals after two seasons leading the women's golf program at Towson. She is a highly-decorated golfer herself and currently a member of the LPGA Tour.
 
THE LINEUP: Idaho will roll out a veteran lineup at the season opener, headlined by All-Big Sky junior Valeria Patino. Seniors Laura Gerner and Danika Palm will be joined by experienced sophomores Eddie Hsu and Vicky Tsai. Despite graduating two of the most decorated golfers in program history in Sophie Hausmann and Michelle Kim, the Vandals in this week's lineup combine to have 64 career tournament appearances.
 
THE COURSE: The 41^st annual Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational will be held at the UNM Championship Golf Course in Albuquerque, N.M. The course will play at 6,317 yards and par 72. Opened in 1967, and honored as a top-25 public course, it has hosted multiple NCAA Championships. 
 
THE FIELD: Idaho is one of 15 teams competing at the tournament, including host New Mexico, Colorado State, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kent State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Nevada, Ole Miss, Pepperdine, San Diego State, UC Davis and UNLV. Kent State finished 17th at last season's NCAA Championships, while Indiana took 21st. Nebraska is coached by former Idaho head coach Lisa Johnson.
 
THE 2019-20 SCHEDULE: The Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational marks the start of Idaho's 2019-20 season. The Vandals will compete at five regular-season tournaments in the fall and five more in the spring before the 2020 Big Sky Conference Championships in Scottsdale, Ariz.