Former Texas women’s golf coach Pat Weis dies at 89

Former Texas women’s golf coach Pat Weis died Sunday at the age of 89.

Former Texas women’s golf coach Pat Weis died Sunday in Austin, Texas, at the age of 89.

Weis began the Texas women’s program in 1969 and coached the Longhorns for 20 years from 1973-93. The women’s team became an official university team in the 1973-74 season.

Weis led her teams at Texas to seven Southwest Conference titles and 11 top-10 national finishes. Weis’ record of 34 team victories as Longhorns coach stands No. 22 in NCAA Division I history for most career wins as a head coach.

Weis’ impact was felt off the course too. In 1957, she joined the Texas teaching staff as an associate professor in the department of physical education.

 

“It’s a very sad day for Texas women’s golf and for collegiate golf in general,” current Texas women’s coach Ryan Murphy said. “Coach Weis meant so much to so many people and she was a giant within our sport. Everything we have today can be largely attributed to Coach. She started a program that would ultimately impact hundreds of lives over four-plus decades. Coach will be sorely missed and will be in our thoughts and prayers as we continue through this season.”

Kate Golden, the associate head women’s golf coach, competed for the university from 1985-89 and was one of Weis’ standout players.

“Coach Weis loved The University of Texas and the Women’s Golf team,” Golden said. “Although she hadn’t played golf for a while, she always enjoyed hearing about how the current team was doing. She was a pioneer in collegiate women’s golf and we will all miss her dearly. Thank you, Coach, for all you have done for the game. RIP.”

Weis’ accolades include a 2001 Texas Athletics Hall of Honor induction, a Women’s Golf Coaches Association Coaches Hall of Fame induction in 1987, the Gladys Palmer Award in 1991 and the National Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1988. Weis was also named Southwest Conference Coach of the Year five times.

Details surrounding a Celebration of Life event and funeral services will be release once finalized.