By: Scott Eddy, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Nearly 100 student-athletes have committed to become Bonnies during the early signing period, but two will become history-makers: Caitrin Coyle and Josephine Phillips have committed to become the first two members of the St. Bonaventure women's golf program set to begin Division I play in 2026-27.
Coyle is a product of Akron, Ohio where she plays for St. Vincent-St. Mary High.
A two-time Ohio state championship qualifier, she participated in the 2024 Peggy Kirk Bell National Championship and won the 2025 Lady Spartan Invite and Lady Irish Invite during the last golf season. She earned All-Northeast Ohio District honors and is an Academic All-Ohio honoree.
"Caitrin comes from a very competitive and successful high school in athletics at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School," said St. Bonaventure Director of Golf Patrick Damore. "She has strong junior resume which will help make the transition to Division I golf easy. Her strength is her mental maturity on the golf course.  This will allow her to be an immediate impact player for us."
Phillips comes to Bona's from Gambrills, Maryland where she plays for Archbishop Spalding High. She qualified for the Maryland Women's Open and is the first female to participate in the Bubby Worsham Memorial Tournament started by Arnold Palmer. A four-year varsity starter, she has been her team's No. 1 the past two seasons. She intends to major in business at SBU.
"Josie comes from an athletic family; her brother plays college golf in Pennsylvania. She was a four-year starter in high school in Annapolis and her team leader," Damore said. "She is another Bonnie recruit from a very strong golf market which will help her at the next level for sure."
The Bonnies will join the Atlantic 10 Conference for their first season at the D-I level this coming fall.
To follow the program, join the new Bonnies Women's Golf social media accounts @BonniesWGolf on X and @BonniesWGolf on Instagram.
