When Eastern Michigan University made the call to invest big in its women's golf program, they weren't just building a team—they were building a contender. And now, that investment is paying off in a way that has the entire mid-major world taking notice.
Two years ago, head coach Josh Brewer was let go from the University of Georgia after 12 seasons, missing the NCAA Championship by a single shot. At 48, he thought his coaching career might be winding down. But then the phone rang from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and everything changed.
"I was talking to GameAbove during the interview, and they said, 'Think different,'" Brewer recalls. "I've always valued that as a coach. I came from the business world before coaching, so I've always felt like I am different."
In an era where many universities are cutting golf programs to save costs, Eastern Michigan has done the opposite. Backed by GameAbove—a global investment company run by EMU alumni that focuses on sports, entertainment, and philanthropy—the Eagles now boast one of the largest NIL budgets in the sport. This isn't your typical mid-major operation; this is a program running at a Power 4 level.
The results speak for themselves. This Monday, Eastern Michigan will make its first-ever appearance in an NCAA Regional, entering as the No. 5 seed in Tallahassee. The team currently sits at No. 27 in the NCAA Golf Rankings—a staggering jump of nearly 200 spots since Brewer took the helm.
Brewer's impact is visible across the program. Assistant coach Caterina Don, who played five standout seasons under Brewer at Georgia, is now in her second season on the sidelines. Star player Savannah de Bock followed Brewer from Athens to Ypsilanti and made history last season as the first EMU player to compete in an NCAA postseason event.
The Eagles' momentum continued at the Women's National Golf Invitational, where Angelica Holman claimed medalist honors and the team finished second—their first postseason tournament as a squad.
Now, with three rounds standing between them and a potential national championship run, Eastern Michigan isn't just acting like a blue blood. They're proving that with the right investment and belief, a mid-major can compete with the best in the country.