Head coach David Sutherland and the Sacramento State men and women’s golf teams are getting ready for another exciting year on the golf links. The Hornets look to make it three titles in four years in 2009-10.

The Sac State men’s golf team won the America Sky Conference Championship in 2008-09.

The Hornets look to do well on the women’s side also. Sac State finished second in the Big Sky Conference Championship Tournament last season.

Sutherland, a 10-year PGA Tour veteran, expects both squads to be on top of their game this year.

The women’s team returns a strong group of players. Most noticeably, Brooke Green, who recorded two top-10 finishes last season and was an all-conference player. Sutherland said Green is a favorite for Big Sky Player of the Year.

Green, a redshirt senior, said she has set some high goals for the season.

“My goal is to win a tournament this year and Big Sky Player of the year,” she said.

Sutherland said the team is expecting junior Brigham Young University transfer, Hannah Summerhays, to play a key role for Sac State this season.

“We are certainly excited we will be adding her to our top-five,” he said. “I would expect her to move very quickly into our third or fourth (spot in the rotation). She has a lot of talent and certainly has been an outstanding addition to our team.”

Justine Chen, a Big Sky All-Conference First Team member, was the only freshman on the first-team last season. The men’s team lost a few key performers from last season, including Scott DeBora, an all-conference player, who has since turned professional.

UC Davis assistant men’s golf coach Todd Hammond said losing players is something all NCAA teams experience.

“You always lose good players,” Hammond said. “You just have to account for it.”

After working extremely hard this summer, his personal goal is similar to his team goal.

“I want to win a tournament,” Johnson said.

Johnson also said he has similar goals as Sutherland for the team this season.

“We have a really good team,” he said. “We have a chance to win more than one tournament,” Johnson said.

Sutherland said that while young, the men’s team has a lot of potential.

“I think this is the most talented team that I’ve had since I’ve been coaching,” he said.

Dustin Nosler can be reached at [email protected]