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California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State) is a large public university in the heart of California’s capital, known for its strong business, nursing, communications, and social‑science programs plus an active campus‑life scene. Students often rave about the city‑center location, many clubs and events, easy access to internships in government and nonprofits, and the chance to belong to a diverse, urban‑focused campus community.

State

California

Student Population

32,000

Acceptance Rate

82–94%

GPA Range

2.7–3.4

SAT Range

1000–1200

Common Majors

business, nursing and health sciences, psychology, communications

“Sac State feels like a big, diverse urban campus where you can study in strong professional programs, join tons of clubs and events, and be minutes from internships in downtown Sacramento, and many students say they were surprised by how welcoming and community‑focused the campus community is despite its size.”

Team & Tuition

Divison

Division 1

Tuition (no scholarship)

In-state: $7,392; Out-of-state: $19,272

Conference

Big Sky Conference

Scholarships Available

Yes. Both athletic and academic.

Avg Men's Scores

72.5

Avg Women's Scores

74.8

Men's Team Notes

Hornets men averaged 290.0 over 21 rounds at Nick Watney Invitational (Troy Burne Golf Club) and Redhawks Invitational (Chambers Bay Golf Course), posting top-10 finishes with Gabriel Smith's career-low 63 fueling contention. Strong par-5 scoring drove consistent California results.

Women's Team Notes

Hornet women fired 282 (-2) first rounds to lead Big Sky Championship (The Wigwam), ranking 48th nationally with 73.63 scoring average led by Dela Torre's 68. Dominance on par-5s and 62-28-1 record highlighted precision at Wigwam and home invitationals.

Coaches

Men's Coach

Kamden Brakel

Women's Coach

David Sutherland

Men's Email

kamden.brakel@csus.edu

Women's Email

dsutherl@csus.edu

Men's Coach Bio

Kamden Brakel is Sacramento State men’s head golf coach, leading the Hornets in the Big West as an affiliate member starting in 2024–25 after the program’s prior Big Sky era. He oversees a competitive, regionally‑based schedule that prepares the team for Big West‑championship‑level play and NCAA‑postseason‑eligible events. Brakel emphasizes fundamentals, scoring‑oriented play, and a disciplined practice environment, working to build a consistent, high‑West‑Coast‑level men’s‑golf program at Sac State.

Women's Coach Bio

David Sutherland is Sacramento State women’s head golf coach, directing the Hornets in the Big Sky Conference. In his 17th season, he has guided the program to multiple Big Sky titles, several NCAA‑Regional‑appearances, and numerous individual‑record‑level scoring averages. Sutherland emphasizes fundamentals, short‑game work, and a high‑academic, team‑driven culture, helping maintain Sacramento State women’s golf as one of the top programs on the West Coast and a regular Big Sky‑championship‑and‑postseason‑power.

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