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Fly like an Eagle: How Eastern Michigan revamped women’s golf to compete for a championship
By Joel Sebastianelli at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 13, 2026
· 6 min read
Last January in Miami, Indiana University stunned the sports world by winning the college football national championship.Looking on from the stands alongside his father, Eastern Michigan women’s golf coach Josh Brewer had a moment of inspiration.“It can really happen at a place that’s kind of a d...
Key takeaway Ranked 226th in Division I when Brewer took over as coach two years ago, Eastern Michigan did what seemed impossible: make the national match play semifinals in May despite having never previously qualified for an NCAA Tournament at all.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The remarkable turnaround of Eastern Michigan's women's golf team has significant implications for the local sports landscape. As the team's success story unfolds, it highlights the potential for investment and vision to transform athletic programs in the Detroit area. The $14.5 million commitment from GameAbove, an organization chaired by Eastern Michigan alumnus Keith Stone, demonstrates the impact that targeted funding can have on a team's competitiveness. The state-of-the-art indoor practice facility at Eagle Crest Golf Club, overlooking Ford Lake, has become a key factor in the team's ability to attract and develop top talent. As the Eagles continue to compete at a high level, they may inspire other local colleges and universities to reexamine their own athletic programs and explore innovative ways to boost their competitiveness, potentially leading to a surge in sports excellence throughout the region.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Last January in Miami, Indiana University stunned the sports world by winning the college football national championship.Looking on from the stands alongside his father, Eastern Michigan women’s golf coach Josh Brewer had a moment of inspiration.“It can really happen at a place that’s kind of a d...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joel Sebastianelli at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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