University of North Texas Athletics
Gonzalez Hired As New Women's Golf Assistant
8/28/2022 1:00:00 PM | Women's Golf
DENTON - UNT women's golf head coach Michael Akers on Sunday announced the hiring of Brenda Gonzalez as his new assistant coach, replacing Emma Edwards, who stepped aside to pursue a graduate degree after a season with the Mean Green.
Gonzalez, a native of Torreon, Mexico, played collegiately at Central Arkansas and graduated in 2017 before beginning a professional career. After five years of seeing time on the multiple pro tours, including the LPGA feeder Symetra/Epson Tour, Gonzalez decided this year to retire from competitive golf due to injuries and pursue coaching.
"I am very excited to add Brenda Gonzalez to our coaching staff," Akers said. "I think most coaches have a short list of potential assistants and Brenda has always been on mine. Unfortunately, her professional playing career ended due to an injury but she will help us in her first coaching position. Brenda was a solid college player and she played for a very good coach. Her personality should fit nicely with the team and myself. We should have a very good year, and our goal is to make it to the national championship."
Gonzalez posted nine top-15 finishes in her professional career, highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the Crown Colony Challenge on the WAPT in 2020. She had 10 top-10 finishes as a collegiate golfer, including a third-place finish at the 2015 Southland Conference Championship, and she was named All-Southland First Team in 2016 and 2017.
Gonzalez said she realized her dreams of playing collegiate and professional golf, and now she's ready for a new chapter in her golf career.
"My dream was always to play professional golf, and I did," she said. "After graduating, I was able to play professionally for five years. This last year, I played on the Epson Tour, and then I decided it was time to explore a new direction in golf."
The two-time defending Conference USA champions will look to end their time in C-USA with a third straight title in the spring before beginning play as a member of The American next fall.
Â
Gonzalez, a native of Torreon, Mexico, played collegiately at Central Arkansas and graduated in 2017 before beginning a professional career. After five years of seeing time on the multiple pro tours, including the LPGA feeder Symetra/Epson Tour, Gonzalez decided this year to retire from competitive golf due to injuries and pursue coaching.
"I am very excited to add Brenda Gonzalez to our coaching staff," Akers said. "I think most coaches have a short list of potential assistants and Brenda has always been on mine. Unfortunately, her professional playing career ended due to an injury but she will help us in her first coaching position. Brenda was a solid college player and she played for a very good coach. Her personality should fit nicely with the team and myself. We should have a very good year, and our goal is to make it to the national championship."
Gonzalez posted nine top-15 finishes in her professional career, highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the Crown Colony Challenge on the WAPT in 2020. She had 10 top-10 finishes as a collegiate golfer, including a third-place finish at the 2015 Southland Conference Championship, and she was named All-Southland First Team in 2016 and 2017.
Gonzalez said she realized her dreams of playing collegiate and professional golf, and now she's ready for a new chapter in her golf career.
"My dream was always to play professional golf, and I did," she said. "After graduating, I was able to play professionally for five years. This last year, I played on the Epson Tour, and then I decided it was time to explore a new direction in golf."
The two-time defending Conference USA champions will look to end their time in C-USA with a third straight title in the spring before beginning play as a member of The American next fall.
Â
Bruzzy's Facility Tour | UNT Golf
Friday, November 04
Beyond the Green: Audrey Tan | UNT Athletics
Friday, July 08