Ulibarri making her mark on TMU golf

When it comes to women’s sports at The Master’s University, programs like the cross country and volleyball teams rightfully take all of the spotlight.

But junior Hannah Ulibarri of the women’s golf team continues to leave her mark in the program’s young and growing history with four individual wins under her belt.

The women’s golf team is one of the youngest programs on campus, officially forming in the 2019-20 academic year and beginning their inaugural season in the 2020-21 academic year under former head coach Jacob Hicks.

While the team saw immediate growth through the first two years, the introduction of Ulibarri would change the face of the program.

Ulibarri, who grew up in Fullerton, Calif., joined the team before the 2022-23 academic year with a decorated golf career in a number of competitive Southern California junior golf circuits. 

But even some of the best athletes might find it difficult to transition from junior athletics to collegiate competition. Not Ulibarri though. In her collegiate debut, Ulibarri finished in ninth in the California State Intercollegiate at Olivas Links Golf Course, shooting one-over 73 and two-over 74 in the 36 hole tournament.

A month later, in the TMU Danish Classic, Ulibarri finished second in the tournament with a 36-hole total of five-over par and a final round score of even-par 72, the lowest round in the whole tournament.

To finish her first semester with the team, Ulibarri won her first collegiate tournament in the Redhawk Rumble at Las Sendas Golf Club, claiming a two stroke lead with a final round score of one-over 73, which was the lowest round in the entire tournament.

She continued her freshman campaign in the spring season, claiming three fourth place finishes in the Coastal Georgia Winter Invitational, the Warrior Invitational, the RMC Intercollegiate and a T2 finish in the TMU Spring Invite.

She was named GSAC Golfer of the Month before finishing sixth in her first appearance in the GSAC Championship, where she was also named to the All-GSAC team.

For her teammates, the conference tournament was their last competitive showing of the 2022-23 year, which saw more growth in the program’s third year. 

But Ulibarri had more golf to play.

She individually qualified for the NAIA National Championship at TPC Deere Run, becoming the first woman in program history to play on the national stage. She did not disappoint.

Ulibarri’s first round score of one-under 71 gave her a tie for the lead. And after two consecutive rounds of two-over 74, she entered the final round as the leader. But after a final round score of six-over 78, she finished in a tie-for-second in the national tournament.

Heading into her sophomore year, Ulibarri looked to build upon her already impressive resumé, which included an automatic bid into the 2024 NAIA National Championship because of her runner-up finish.

Ulibarri struggled through the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year, with a sixth place finish at the TMU Danish Classic being her best finish in the fall season. 

Three tournaments would not stop her momentum, however, as she notched a first-place finish in the PCH invitational, her first tournament in the spring season.

She finished runner-up in the Sea Beggar Invitational and seventh in the RMC Intercollegiate before finishing T3 in the TMU Spring Invitational and seventh in the GSAC Championship.

Afterwards, Ulibarri made her second straight appearance in the NAIA National Championship with her automatic bid, but would miss the cut and end her sophomore campaign early.

Some might consider her sophomore year as a slump, few might even think that it was signs of a regression. But Ulibarri continues to make history into the 2024-25 academic year.

In the start of her junior campaign, she immediately began with a win in the California State Intercollegiate, claiming first with a four shot cushion.

And after T3 and fifth place finishes, Ulibarri won her most recent tournament in the Menlo College Invitational.

Through two and a half seasons with the women’s golf team, Ulibarri continues to pave a path through the program’s young and expanding history. And even through the highs and lows of her collegiate career, Ulibarri continues to be the face of the women’s golf program.