What Is 1987 NCAA Women's Golf Championship

Overview

The 1987 NCAA Women's Golf Championship was a pivotal moment in collegiate women's golf, marking the eighth edition of the national championship tournament. Held in May 1987 at the University of New Mexico's Championship Course in Albuquerque, the event brought together 12 of the nation’s top teams to compete in a 72-hole stroke play format.

This championship was particularly notable for the rise of the University of Tulsa, which claimed its first national title in women’s golf. The tournament also highlighted the growing competitiveness of women’s collegiate golf, with several programs vying for dominance in a sport gaining increased recognition.

• Host venue: The University of New Mexico Championship Course in Albuquerque, New Mexico, hosted the event, a par-72 layout stretching over 6,200 yards.
• Winning team: The University of Tulsa captured its first NCAA women's golf title with a team score of 1,202 (+50) across four rounds.
• Individual champion: Kellee Booth of Tulsa won the individual crown with a 72-hole total of 305 (+17), the best score among all competitors.
• Participating teams: Twelve teams qualified for the national championship, including powerhouses like Arizona State, UCLA, and USC.
• Tournament format: The event used a 72-hole stroke play format, with the top four scores from each team’s five-player roster counting toward the daily total.

How It Works

The NCAA Women's Golf Championship follows a structured format that balances individual excellence with team performance, ensuring both are recognized at the national level.

• 72-Hole Stroke Play: The tournament consists of four rounds of stroke play, with the team’s lowest four scores each day contributing to the cumulative total. This format emphasizes consistency over four days.
• Team Qualification: Twelve teams qualify based on regional performances and season-long rankings, ensuring only the most competitive programs reach the national stage.
• Individual Competition: Even on non-advancing teams, standout golfers can win the individual title, as Kellee Booth did in 1987 with her 305 (+17).
• Scoring Rules: Only the top four scores from each team’s five-member squad count each day, adding strategic depth to player selection and lineup decisions.
• Weather Impact: The 1987 event faced windy conditions in Albuquerque, contributing to higher scores and testing players’ course management skills.
• Championship Course: The University of New Mexico’s layout featured narrow fairways and fast greens, challenging players’ accuracy and short-game precision throughout the tournament.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five teams at the 1987 NCAA Women's Golf Championship, highlighting scores and placements.

The narrow margin between first and third place—just eight strokes—demonstrates the high level of competition. Tulsa’s victory by five strokes over UCLA underscored their depth, as all four counting scores were consistently strong across the four rounds.

Why It Matters

The 1987 NCAA Women's Golf Championship was a landmark event that elevated the profile of women’s collegiate golf and demonstrated the rising parity among programs nationwide. Its outcomes influenced recruiting, program funding, and media coverage in the years that followed.

• Historic Win: Tulsa’s first national title signaled the emergence of new powerhouses beyond traditional leaders like Arizona State and UCLA.
• Individual Excellence: Kellee Booth’s victory highlighted the importance of standout performers in team success, inspiring future scholarship strategies.
• Program Growth: The championship helped justify increased investment in women’s golf programs across Division I institutions.
• Media Attention: The close finish attracted more press coverage, contributing to the sport’s visibility on campus and beyond.
• Legacy Impact: Booth became a role model, and her performance is still referenced in NCAA women’s golf historical retrospectives.
• Format Influence: The 1987 structure became a model for future championships, maintaining the 72-hole team-and-individual dual format.

Ultimately, the 1987 championship was more than a single tournament—it was a catalyst for the continued development of women’s collegiate golf, setting benchmarks for competition, excellence, and recognition.