CHICO – With the departure of seniors Erin Sears and Megan Chang, the Chico State women’s golf team have two major holes to fill as it approaches the 2010-11 season. Even with several quality players returning, Head Coach Kathy Dais has made sure that two more talented prospects have been added to the Wildcat roster, with junior college transfer Melinda Murray and high school standout Sarah McComish signing their National Letter of Intent to join the ’Cats this fall.

Murray comes to Chico after spending two years at Santa Rosa Junior College. Though the school was without a women’s golf team, Murray stayed active and improved her game by competing in several amateur golf tournament around the Bay Area. Her greatest success came at the Sonoma County Amateur where Murray posted the second-lowest gross score three straight years in a tournament featuring stroke play and match play champions from many northern California golf clubs. At Santa Rosa High School, Murray logged four seasons on the Panthers’ golf team while earning Athletic Academic honors each year. She qualified for the North Coast Section Championship as a junior, and in her senior year was the recipient of the Bertha Wiggins Golf Scholarship for outstanding player. Melinda’s personal coach is her father John Murray, head PGA professional at Foxtail Golf Club in Rohnert Park.

McComish joins the Wildcats after wrapping up an impressive prep career at Sprague High School in Salem, Ore. Playing for the Olympians, McComish competed four straight years in the Oregon Schools Activities Association (OSAA) 6A State Girls Golf Tournament, and last May finished seventh overall with a two-round score of 78-77-155. In addition to spending plenty of time on the links, McComish participated in a school business campaigning club and was one of 10 handpicked Sprague students to coordinate a fundraiser for a Portland children’s hospital…all while maintaining a 3.46 GPA. Sarah’s father – and personal coach – is John McComish, a former PGA player and owner/PGA head professional at Oak Knoll Golf Course in Independence, Ore.

“I look forward to working with both student athletes,” Dais said. “Melinda will bring experience and maturity to the team. Sarah is very enthusiastic about joining the Wildcats. She has a solid fundamental golf background that will be an immediate impact for the team.”