Albany, Boston U. and Hartford will join the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference as associate members in women’s golf for 2009-10.

MAAC members Fairfield and Siena already sponsor the sport, and  Niagara plans to add women’s golf next season. The MAAC will be eligible for an automatic bid to the Division I Women’s Golf Championships in 2012.

“The development of women’s golf within the MAAC has been a priority with the MAAC Committee on Athletic Administration,” Commissioner Rich Ensor said. “The decision by Niagara to add the sport provided us with a membership base that allowed us to seek associate members with the end goal to qualify for NCAA automatic bid status. We welcome the new members and recognize that with such cooperation all the schools will benefit their student-athletes with a more competitive league.”

Albany, Boston U. and Hartford currently compete in America East. Albany won the 2009 league championship, Boston U. finished second and Hartford finished third.

“The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has hosted one of the finest collegiate golf championships in Florida for the past 10 years,” said Tim Murray, director of athletics at Marist and chair of the MAAC golf committee. “The league is excited to add these fine programs to the women’s championship.”

The 2010 MAAC men’s and women’s golf championships will be April 29-May 2 at the Celebration Golf Club in Celebration, Florida.