CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- The SUU Women's Golf team wrapped up its first season under Head Coach Caylyn Ponich, and she is very excited for the future of the Thunderbirds Women's Golf team.

The 2024–25 season marked a significant chapter in the evolution of the Southern Utah University Women's Golf program under first-year head coach Caylyn Ponich. While the season was filled with both learning curves and competitive milestones, the overarching theme was growth, both as individual athletes and as a unified team.

"What stood out most to me about this team's growth and performance from start to finish was their resilience, commitment, and how they learned to truly fight for themselves and each other," Coach Ponich shared. "At the beginning of the semester, we really struggled on self-belief… But as the season went on, I saw a positive shift."

That shift was evident on the course, where the Lady Thunderbirds grew stronger with each tournament. Their improved self-belief translated into improved play, and their emphasis on the team score over individual results reflected a newfound cohesion. This wasn't just a team learning to play better golf — it was a team learning to play together.

Among the season's highlights was Siriporn (Orchid) Luangnam, who had an outstanding freshman campaign. She placed 4th at the WAC Conference Championships in April — a remarkable achievement for a first-year player. "Orchid is the kind of player who rises to the challenge," Ponich noted. "That kind of experience is huge, and I am excited for her to bring that level of competition and confidence into her sophomore season."

Luangnam led the team with a 75.4 season stroke average through 23 competitive rounds played. Her low round of the season came in the final round of the WAC Championship, where she fired a three-under-par 69. That was one of her five rounds of even par or better on the year.

In a season defined by highs and lows, the Lady Thunderbirds remained grounded in a shared sense of purpose. "My favorite part about last season was seeing how close the team became and how that bond pushed them to work harder and fight through the tough moments together," said Ponich. "Watching them support each other, lift each other after a tough round, and celebrate each other's successes made it really special."

The 2024–25 campaign was also a period of personal and professional growth for Coach Ponich, who was in her first year at the helm. "One of the biggest things I learned was how important it is to build a strong culture and create an environment where players feel supported, pushed, challenged, and motivated. Every decision, every conversation, and every round played a big part in shaping who I am becoming as a coach and who we are becoming as a team."

Looking ahead, the future is bright for the SUU Women's Golf program. With a core of motivated returners and a wave of new talent set to arrive in Cedar City, momentum is building. "To build on this momentum heading into next season, the biggest thing is keeping the energy and belief we finished with and taking it even further," Ponich said. "That excitement is powerful, and we are going to use it to push forward."

There's no denying that the Lady Thunderbirds are trending upward. As the offseason begins, the focus is on preparation — in the weight room, on the course, and in mindset. "We have built a great foundation this season, and now it's about keeping that momentum going," said Ponich. "Everyone on the team shares the same goal, which is to get better and perform at a higher level."

And perhaps most telling of what's to come is Coach Ponich's firm belief in the untapped potential of this group: "One thing I really want people to know about this team is that we have yet to show our best. There is so much talent here and so much potential that is just starting to come through."

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