Alicia Um Holmes’ second campaign has begun.

Last season, Um Holmes was named Golfweek Women’s Coach of the Year, narrowly missed out on a national championship and secured the third-best scoring average in program history in only her first season with the Bruins. With her previous success on her shoulders, the UCLA women’s golf coach welcomed the 2024-2025 season early this week at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate at the Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.

“Our goals stay the same. I don’t think I’m going to change the recipe that much,” Um Holmes said.

UCLA’s opening tournament lineup boasted familiar faces, with seniors Caroline Canales, Zoe Antoinette Campos, Natalie Vo and Tiffany Le all being named to the starting five.

Campos was named a First Team All-American, an ANNIKA Award Finalist and an All-Pac-12 First Team selection following her four wins of the 2023-2024 season. Despite a slow start, Campos shot an even 72-par during the second round, rising 10 spots to tie for 21st. She rounded off her senior season opener in 16th place after shooting 1-under 71 during the third round.

Le shot an even-par during the second round, rising 14 spots to enter the top-30. Le then shot the Bruins’ lowest third round, with a 2-under 70 score resulting in her finishing the tournament ranked 22nd.

“Maybe not 100% of what I wanted to show but I think my game has definitely been trending in the right direction,” Le said. “ I’m excited to see what else I can do out there.”

Last season, Canales was awarded a WGCA Honorable Mention All-American and a Honorable Mention for the All-Pac-12 First Team. Canales opened her season with a 5-under par first round, placing her tied for second – the highest-ranked Bruin of the tournament.

“I took some time off in the summer to rehab a small injury in my foot, so I actually didn’t play a tournament until the end of August,” Canales said. “My game is feeling good, and I think that this was just a positive way to start off the fall season.”

Canales followed her first day performance by shooting 2-over par during a windy, second-round resulting in her falling to sixth, but she maintained her positioning through the final round and was the only Bruin to finish in the top-10.

Amongst the four veterans was freshman Angela Liu, who made her collegiate debut at the ANNIKA tournament. The Irvine, California, local secured her first birdie during her opening round, ending her first day tied with Le at 43rd place with a score of 4-over 76.

“She ended with an eagle to close the tournament, which was good to see. It was a high note for her,” Um Holmes said. “She’s one of the girls that we’re going to work on, just with the driver line test that we do, but her demeanor was great out there.”

The mix of Bruin success resulted in a sixth place team finish, after rising four positions during the final day and rounding off the opening tournament with a 7-over par final score.

“We’re very talented, but if you aren’t able to execute when you need to, then it doesn’t matter,” Um Holmes said. “If you’re not able to execute and perform to your best ability when it’s a competition, then you’re going to have a six place finish no matter how talented you are.”

UCLA will have the opportunity to defend its 2023 win at the Windy City Collegiate Classic in Wilmette, Illinois, beginning late September.