Mizuno WGCA coaches polls: Final release for fall 2024 season

Stanford, Anderson, Emory and Keiser are the No. 1 teams in these polls.

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association released its final coaches polls for the Fall 2024 season.

In Div. I, Stanford once again sits atop the rankings. The Cardinal are a unanimous No. 1. Arkansas, USC, South Carolina and Texas round out the top five.

Stanford is undefeated this season so far, winning The Big Match against rival Cal and the Molly Intercollegiate Invitational. The Cardinal then went 3-0 at the NB3 Matchplay at Twin Warriors in New Mexico before tying for first in the Stanford Intercollegiate. They also won the Nanea Invitational in Hawaii.

Div. I Mizuno WGCA coaches poll

Rank University (First-place votes) Points
1 Stanford (21) 525
2 Arkansas 494
3 USC 474
4 South Carolina 472
5 Texas 418
6 Oregon 413
7 Arizona State 407
8 Arizona 376
9 Northwestern 368
10 Mississippi State 328
11 Virginia 301
12 Florida State 290
13 North Carolina 275
14 Wake Forest 264
15 Vanderbilt 233
16 LSU 212
17 Texas A&M 178
18 Duke 177
19 Mississippi 158
20 Auburn 139
21 Michigan State 82
22 Oklahoma State 75
23 TCU 51
24 Kansas 43
25 Houston 35
Others receiving votes: Florida (13); UCLA (9); Oklahoma (5); Kansas State (3); California (3); Baylor (1); Clemson (1); Ohio State (1); UNLV (1)

Div. II Mizuno WGCA coaches poll

Anderson is the unanimous No. 1 while Findlay and Wingate are tied for the No. 2 spot. Flagler College moves up one spot to No. 4, while Dallas Baptist rounds out the top five.

Rank University (First-place votes) Points
1 Anderson (17) 425
T2 Findlay 391
T2 Wingate 391
4 Flagler College 377
5 Dallas Baptist 370
6 California State San Marcos 323
7 Lynn 307
8 St. Mary’s (Texas) 287
9 Grand Valley State 283
10 Saint Leo 262
11 North Georgia 252
12 Lee 243
13 West Texas A&M 233
14 Central Missouri 193
15 Texas at Tyler 174
16 Missouri-St. Louis 164
17 Rollins College 151
18 Rogers State 128
19 Nova Southeastern 121
20 Lander 101
21 Palm Beach Atlantic 97
22 Simon Fraser 67
23 Barry 52
24 West Florida 45
25 Tampa 27

Others receiving votes: Lincoln Memorial (19); Midwestern State (16); Henderson State (6); Tiffin (6); Ferris State (4); Harding (4); California State Los Angeles (3); Eckerd College (2); Florida Southern College (1)

Div. III Mizuno WGCA coaches poll

In Div, III, Emory remains at the top after receiving 14 first-place votes. Carnegie Mellon and Washington in St. Louis each received two first-place votes to hold steady at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, while Pomona-Pitzer continues to hold the No. 4 spot. Wellesley College jumps two spots to enter the top five.

Rank University (First-place votes) Points
1 Emory (14) 442
2 Carnegie Mellon (2) 428
3 Washington University in St. Louis (2) 417
4 Pomona-Pitzer 380
5 Wellesley College 368
6 Williams College 367
7 George Fox 343
8 St. Catherine 310
9 New York University 304
10 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 263
11 Amherst College 248
12 Centre College 226
13 Illinois Wesleyan 212
14 Babson College 195
15 Randolph-Macon College 194
16 Hamilton College 188
17 Washington and Lee 183
18 Denison 159
19 Christopher Newport 103
20 Redlands 98
21 Bowdoin College 78
22 Middlebury College 77
T23 Methodist 52
T23 Trinity (Texas) 52
25 Carleton College 42
Others receiving votes: California Lutheran (30); Rhodes College (30); Mary Hardin-Baylor (21); Grinnell College (20); Saint Mary’s College (6); California Santa Cruz (6); Bethel (4); Macalester College (4)

 NAIA Mizuno coaches poll

Keiser is the unanimous No. 1 in NAIA, while SCAD Savannah and Lindsey Wilson College each move up one spot to come in at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

Rank University (First-place votes) Points
1 Keiser (10) 100
2 SCAD Savannah 89
3 Lindsey Wilson College 81
4 Marian (IN) 70
5 Texas Wesleyan 55
6 Dalton State College 50
7 SCAD Atlanta 41
8 Milligan 28
9 Oklahoma City 24
10 William Carey 9
Others receiving votes: Truett McConnell (2); Taylor (1)

About the Women’s Golf Coaches Association

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization representing women’s collegiate golf coaches. The WGCA was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today, the WGCA represents over 750 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes they represent.

Club 60: Meet the 20 players who have signed for a 60 in college golf

There’s an elite, exclusive club in the world of college golf where new members are rarely added.

College golf coaches job blog: News from around the coaching community for 2024

News from around the college golf coaching community in 2024.

Interested in the college golf coaching scene around the country in 2024? Get the latest updates on this page.

If you have information to share on this page, please e-mail Lance Ringler or Cameron Jourdan.

Editor’s note: To see previous listings, click here.

May 23

SOUTH CAROLINA

University of South Carolina Director of Athletics Ray Tanner announced a change in leadership with the men’s golf program on Friday. Bill McDonald will not return as the Gamecocks’ head coach.

McDonald, who is from Dalton, Ga., spent the past 18 seasons after being hired in the summer of 2007. McDonald guided South Carolina to 15 NCAA Regional appearances, including this season, and seven NCAA Championship appearances, the last in 2019, over the course of 18 seasons. He led the Gamecocks to the program’s only regional title at the 2007 NCAA West Regional in Tempe, Ariz.

Associate head coach Brady Gregor will take over as interim head coach. Gregor served as head coach at High Point for five seasons from 2017-22 before his current tenure with the Gamecocks the past two seasons.

A national search has begun for a new head coach.

May 23

RIDER

After 10 years as head coach at Rider, Jason Berry is resigning and will become the full-time Director of Instruction at Springdale Golf Club in Princeton, New Jersey.

In 2022, Berry guided Rider to its first MAAC conference championship in program history.

“What an unbelievable ride it has been,” said Berry.

May 23

GEORGIA

Dalton Stevens, who helped South Florida to consecutive NCAA Regional bids over the past two seasons, has been named associate head coach for the University of Georgia women’s golf program. Head coach Erika Brennan, who has worked with Stevens for the past six seasons at USF, announced his hiring on Thursday.

Stevens joined the USF staff in June 2018 as an assistant coach and was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2023-24 season.

“I feel incredibly honored and thankful to be a part of the University of Georgia as the Associate Head Coach for the women’s golf program,” Stevens said. “Coaching in the SEC has been a long-standing aspiration of mine, and I’m thrilled about the journey ahead for our program. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Coach Erika Brennan and Mr. Josh Brooks for entrusting me with this amazing opportunity.”

Stevens arrived at USF with four seasons of collegiate coaching experience. He spent two seasons as head coach of both the men’s and women’s golf teams at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Stevens began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Iowa Central Community College in 2014-15 before returning to his alma mater, Kirkwood Community College.

May 22

BELMONT

Belmont University head coach Scott Flynn has announced on Wednesday that he is stepping down from his position after spending 16 years leading the program. Assistant Coach Daniel DeLuca  has been promoted to Head Coach to replace Flynn.

“I want to thank Dr. Greg Jones, Scott Corley, Mike Strickland (former Belmont Director of Athletics), and Dr. Bob Fisher (former Belmont President), for the opportunity to be part of such a special team of people at Belmont,” said Flynn. “Belmont is a very special place and it’s been a true blessing to work alongside such a wonderful group of coaches, faculty, staff and student-athletes.  I’m also excited about the future of our golf program and can with all confidence say that it will be in great hands under the leadership of Daniel DeLuca.”

Flynn took over as the program’s fourth head coach in 2008. His teams finished runner-up at three conference championships (2015, 2019, 2021).

DeLuca assumes head coaching responsibilities for the Bruin golf program. DeLuca has been at Belmont for just six months.

A native of Lexington, Kentucky, DeLuca previously served as the Head Men’s Golf Coach at Murray State during the 2021-22 season. Before arriving at Murray, Daniel served as an assistant coach at both the United States Military Academy at West Point (2019-21) and Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas (2017-19).

“I am thrilled at the opportunity of leading the Belmont golf program,” said DeLuca.  “I have learned so much from Coach Flynn in my time here and I hope to continue to grow and develop the program based on the foundation of athletic and academic success he built over the last 16 years.”

DeLuca played his college golf at Eastern Kentucky.

May 21

GEORGIA STATE

Georgia State athletics recently announced a change in the men’s golf program. Chad Wilson, who has been the head coach for the last seven seasons, has resigned.

The Panthers placed 14th at the Sun Belt Conference Championship last month.

It is reported a national search for Georgia State’s next head coach has begun.

May 21

GEORGIA

Erika Brennan has been named the head women’s golf coach at the University of Georgia. Brennan arrives in Athens after spending the past seven seasons as the head at USF. The Bulls earned bids to NCAA Regionals each of the past two seasons, their first consecutive appearances since 2002. South Florida won 13 titles under Brennan.

“We are excited to welcome Erika to the Georgia family,” Director of Athletics Josh Brooks said. “She has done an outstanding job throughout her coaching career, including most recently as the head coach at USF. Not only is Erika a great leader, she brings tremendous positivity and energy to everything she does. She will be an excellent mentor for our student-athletes and an exceptional representative of the University of Georgia women’s golf program.”

Brennan, who played her college golf at Western Carolina, spent time as a head coach at Southern Miss from 2015-17, an assistant coach at Tennessee from 2013-14 and head coach at Saint Leo from 2008-13.

“I’m honored to get down to work as the next coach here at the University of Georgia,” Brennan said. “This program has such a storied past, and we’re ready to ensure the rich tradition continues at the highest level. Thank you, Mr. Josh Brooks for trusting me to lead the Dawgs and for bestowing this incredible opportunity. My husband, Brian, along with our daughter Blakely are looking forward to living in the best city in the Southeast as we plug in to Athens.”

Brennan played golf collegiately as Western Carolina University

May 20

AUGUSTA

After nine years as the head coach of Augusta University women’s golf team, Caroline Haase-Hegg announced her resignation Monday.

“I want to thank Augusta University for an amazing nine years,” said Haase-Hegg. “It is so hard to walk away voluntarily from a career that has given me so much, but in my heart I know it is time for me to step down from coaching and focus on something else… and when you know, you know. Thank you to the players and coaches that I’ve been blessed to work with, Coach Bryant for giving me this chance, our athletic director Ryan Erlacher who has been amazingly supportive to me on and off the course, and also the Augusta University Birdie Club. Please keep fighting for these student athletes and it will be my honor to be a member from outside the golf house. I am filled with gratitude and I will always be a Jaguar.”

In 2023, she led Augusta to the NCAA National Championships for the first time in program history.  She also guided the Jaguars to five team tournament wins, three consecutive Southland Conference championships, and six NCAA Regional Championships Appearances.

May 14

GRAND CANYON

Grand Canyon University announced on Tuesday that women’s golf head coach Lauren Giesecke has stepped down from her position after nine seasons leading the program.

“We would like to thank Coach Giesecke for her nine seasons as GCU’s women’s golf head coach,” Vice President of Athletics Jamie Boggs said. “We wish her the best moving forward.”

Giesecke, whose team led the nation in head-to-head wins with 148-21 won-loss record, completed her ninth season at Grand Canyon. During her tenure, the Lopes claimed one WAC Championship in the 2017-18 season.

The 2024-25 academic year will be GCU’s final year in the WAC before transitioning to the West Coast Conference.

An immediate national search is underway for the next head coach of the Lopes program.

May 14

PENN STATE

Penn State head coach Kristen Simpson announced the hiring of Megan Furtney as assistant coach.

“I am excited to welcome Megan to Happy Valley! Her experience as both a student-athlete at Duke as well as Minnesota will be a great asset to our players and program,” commented Simpson. “Megan knows what it takes to compete and win at the national level! In addition, she will bring a ton of energy and passion to the team as well as the recruiting trail. I can’t wait for her to get started.”

Furtney, a St. Charles, Illinois, native recently completed her Master of Education in Sports Management at the University of Minnesota where she competed in all 10 tournaments for the Gophers this past season. Prior to her time in the Twin Cities, Furtney was a four-year member and two-year captain of the women’s golf team at Duke University where she graduated in 2023 with a degree in psychology and a minor in environmental science.

As a senior at Duke in 2022-23, Furtney helped lead the Blue Devils to second place finishes at the ACC Championship and the NCAA Regionals finishing tied for 15th and tied for 28th, individually at each event, her best two finishes of the season. Furtney was also a four-time WGCA All-American Scholar and a four-time ACC Honor Roll Student during her time in Durham.

“I’m excited to join a university like Penn State with such a rich tradition of exceptional academics and athletics! It is such an honor to be able to work alongside Coach Simpson,” mentioned Furtney. “I’m looking forward to continuing to build on the success of the women’s golf program in Happy Valley, this is a special place and I can’t wait to get to work with the team!”

May 13

COLORADO

Last fall, long-time Colorado head women’s golf coach Anne Kelly announced her retirement effective at the end of the 2023-24 season. Associate head coach Madeleine Sheils will be named head coach on July 1 when Kelly officially steps down.

With Sheils moving up, Colorado has an opening and is looking to hire an assistant coach. The position could be hired by June 1.

May 11

AUSTIN PEAY

Austin Peay State University has named Easton Key its new head men’s golf coach.

Key, who recently helped lead Arkansas State to a Sun Belt Conference championship, has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Arkansas State. Prior to his time on the staff at Arkansas State, he spent four seasons as the head men’s golf coach at Delta State after serving as a men’s and women’s assistant coach at Omaha during the 2016-17 season. Key began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Arkansas State, where he worked from 2014-16.

“I’m extremely grateful and fired up to be named head coach of the Austin Peay men’s golf team,” said Key.

A native of Meridian, Key transferred to Arkansas State after two seasons at Meridian Community College, where he helped lead the Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 2010 NJCAA National Championship.

Key replaces Robbie Wilson. Austin Peay did not renew Wilson’s contract.

May 10

RICE

Rice University will add women’s golf for the 2026-27 season.

Thanks to a $5 million commitment from a former Rice women’s basketball player, Rice will expand its opportunities for female student-athletes with the introduction of women’s golf to the Owls’ list of intercollegiate sports.

Rice Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland announced on Friday that Lynn Laverty Elsenhans, and her husband, John, have endowed Rice Athletics with one of the largest gift by any former female student-athlete to offer future generations of competitive women golfers the opportunity to attend Rice and compete for the Owls.

“In our conversations with Lynn, she made it very clear that this was a sport she wanted to support, and it is one that made sense,” McClelland stated. “25 schools in the state of Texas compete at the Division I level. 24 of them have women’s golf. Rice was the only one that did not… until now,” said McClelland.

Elsenhans was one of the initial group of women who ushered in the era of intercollegiate athletics at Rice as a letter winner on the Owls’ first basketball team in 1974-75 and went on to a distinguished career as an executive in the energy industry.

“College golf is one of the sports that’s both an individual sport and a team sport, and golf is a game in which you learn humility and it builds character,” said Elsenhans. “It’s the only sport in which you call penalties on yourself. John and I wanted to make this gift to have top scholars who play golf, have the opportunity to choose Rice.”

Rice will immediately launch a national search for the program’s first head coach who will begin the process of identifying and recruiting the student-athletes. An announcement on the future home course for Rice women’s golf will be announced in the coming months.

May 9

MINNESOTA

University of Minnesota women’s golf coach Rhyll Brinsmead has announced that she will leave the program – and the coaching profession – at the conclusion of the upcoming NCAA Championships to spend more time with her family.

Minnesota will be represented by Isabella McCauley at the May 17-22 NCAA Championships at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif. McCauley advanced to the national championship tournament with a second-place finish at the Auburn Regional site yesterday.

“I have loved every minute of building this program, and I am so proud of the current state of the program and the work we have done in the last three-and-a-half years,” said Brinsmead. “I want to thank the Minnesota golf community for embracing my vision and supporting me wholeheartedly, as I absolutely loved keeping Minnesotans home.

“I owe a great amount of gratitude to Mark Coyle and Julie Manning for trusting me to lead this program. It was a tremendous responsibility and one I took seriously. The steps forward we made during my time as head coach are all due to the commitment and investment of our amazing athletes. The athletes are the hardest people to leave, and I want to truly thank you for being Gophers.

“Thank you to our donors and supporters, Minnesota is a special place due to the fans. After 21 years in coaching, I am excited to switch roles and start a new adventure with my family.”

Brinsmead was named Minnesota head coach in January 2021 after spending 13 years as the head coach at Kennesaw State. She was also an assistant coach at Iowa State from 2005-07.

Brinsmead-coached Gophers rank first, second and fourth in school history in 18-hole score, first, second, sixth and eighth in 36-hole score and first, second, fifth, eighth and tenth in 54-hole score. Minnesota also set a school record for the lowest 18-hole round (263 at the 2022 Evie Odom Invitational) and the lowest 54-hole round (845 at the 2022 Evie Odom Invitational) under Brinsmead.

“We thank Rhyll for her dedication and passion in leading our women’s golf program,” said Coyle. “The program is headed in the right direction, and we wish Rhyll and her family all the best moving forward. We will immediately start a national search for our next head coach.”

May 9

GEORGIA

Director of Athletics Josh Brooks announced a change in leadership of the Georgia women’s golf program on Thursday.

Josh Brewer just completed his 12th season as head coach at Georgia and guided the program to 16 tournament wins.

“I sincerely thank Josh Brewer for his 12 years leading our women’s golf team,” Brooks said. “We feel it is in the best interest of our program to move in a different direction. We wish Josh all the best and appreciate the time he has spent here at the University of Georgia.”

Brewer and the Bulldogs just completed the 2024 season with a sixth-place finish in the NCAA Auburn Regional. Overall, his teams qualified for regionals 10 times and advanced to the NCAA National Championships on four occasions.

A national search for Georgia’s next head coach will begin immediately.

May 8

LOUISIANA-MONROE

Nathan Weant has been named the head men’s golf coach of the University of Louisiana Monroe. Weant served as the interim head coach at this year’s Sun Belt Conference Golf Championships in April and helped lead the Warhawks to a runner-up finish. Weant was previously an assistant coach for the ULM golf program and has coached for over five seasons at the Division I level.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nathan Weant as our new head men’s golf coach,” said Director of Athletics John Hartwell. “I was fortunate to get to witness Nathan’s ‘audition’ when he served as our interim head coach a couple of weeks ago in the Sun Belt Championships. His knowledge of the game and interaction with our student-athletes was outstanding. His skill set as a recruiter and a strong player development guy will be great assets for our program. The fact that Nathan has been an assistant coach here at ULM, and has strong relationships at Bayou Desiard Country Club and throughout Northeast Louisiana, will serve both him and our program well. The future of ULM men’s golf and Warhawk athletics is bright!”

Weant previously served as an assistant coach for his alma mater, Texas Tech, for three seasons on the men’s golf coaching staff.

Before his time in Monroe as a coach, Weant was the head men’s golf coach at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa and led the program to the 2018 NJCAA Division I National Championship. Weant was named the NJCAA Dave Williams National Coach of the Year, the Delnor Poss National Coach of the Year and NJCAA District 3 Coach of the Year.

Weant played collegiately at Texas Tech for three seasons and played his final two years at Stephen F. Austin.

May 4

LOUISIANA-MONROE

Tim Baldwin has stepped down as head coach of ULM men’s golf and will retire. Baldwin served as the coach of ULM men’s golf since 2015 and coached for 35 seasons at the Division I level.

Baldwin. who played collegiately at Southeastern Louisiana, took over as the first full-time head coach at his alma mater in August 1988 just months after he finished his collegiate career.

“We thank Tim for his efforts in leading our men’s golf program,” said ULM Director of Athletics John Hartwell.

Nathan Weant will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. A national search for ULM’s next head men’s golf coach has begun.

AUSTIN PEAY

Austin Peay will not renew the contract of head men’s golf coach Robbie Wilson, Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison recently announced.

“I have made the decision not to renew the employment contract of Robbie Wilson as our head men’s golf coach,” said Harrison. “Austin Peay is very thankful for his 10 years of service to our student-athletes and our Governors men’s golf program. Coach Wilson and his family are valuable members of the Clarksville Community, and I wish them nothing but the best going forward.

Austin Peay recently finished 11th at the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship.

“As we turn the page and begin our national search for our new golf coach, we will stay consistent by looking for a leader that is committed to all pillars of the ‘Total Gov Concept.’ The preferred candidate will be energetic, innovative, gritty, community-involved, and a great recruiter. It is imperative that they understand that competing is not enough, but competing for championships in all areas of life is the Austin Peay standard.”

April 19

CALIFORNIA

After spending the last 29 seasons as the founding head coach of the California women’s golf program, Nancy McDaniel has announced her retirement.

Since the program debuted in 1995-96, McDaniel has guided the program to 10 NCAA Championships and 22 NCAA Regionals.

“It is with a grateful heart that I reflect on my time here at Cal,” said McDaniel. “I have had the pleasure of coaching some of the most talented and brightest women athletes at a world class university. Together with our supporters, administrators, and players, we created a very special Cal women’s golf family.”

McDaniel, who is from Portland, Oregon and played her college golf at the University of Washington from 1984-88 where she was an All American and earned Pac-10 All-Decade Team honors.

After garnering back-to-back Pac-10 and West Regional Coach of the Year awards in 2001 and 2002, McDaniel led the Bears to a nation-best seven first-place tournament finishes in 2002-03, their highest-ever national ranking at No. 2, and their first of two Pac 10/12 championships. After winning the NCAA Central Regional in 2003, the Bears went on to have three straight top-five showings at the NCAA Championships from 2004-06, including a program-best fourth-place finish in 2004.

“I am forever thankful that Cal took a chance on me 29 years ago as it led to a dream career.  Having the ability to use golf, a sport that I absolutely love, as a vehicle in mentoring young women both competitively and personally has been profound,” McDaniel said. “The joy comes from watching them step into greatness in all parts of their life and creating relationships with them that last a lifetime. I want to thank my associate head coach and dear friend Bev Terry for always handling our players with positivity, care and compassion, and for supporting me through these last eight years together.”

April 19

 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Saluki Athletics has announced that women’s golf head coach Cindy Bodmer will retire at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Bodmer has served as SIU’s women’s golf coach since September of 2022. She is well-known in the local golf community for starting the women’s golf program at Rend Lake College in 1999 and guiding that program to 15 NJCAA National Championship appearances.

“It was an absolute pleasure to work alongside Coach Bodmer these last two seasons,” said SIU Director of Golf Justin Fetcho “She poured everything she had into the program and I can’t thank her enough for her contributions both on and off the course. We wish Cindy the absolute best in her retirement and know that she will always be a Saluki.”

After her first season at Southern, Bodmer overhauled the program’s roster by bringing in six freshmen for the 2023-24 campaign, setting a solid foundation for the future.

“Leaving a program is never easy, but I take great comfort in the knowledge it is in great hands moving forward,” Bodmer said. “Coach Fetcho is a proven winner, and I feel fortunate to have worked with him these last two years. I also want to give a shout-out to my dedicated assistant coach, Sarah Haas, for her unwavering commitment to our student athletes. During my time at SIU, teaming with the athletic staff and coaches here was an amazing experience, one I will always hold dear.”

Saluki Athletics will conduct a national search this spring to hire Bodmer’s successor. The job is currently posted and calls can be made to Fetcho.

March 1

MOREHOUSE

Morehouse College has announced the appointment of Edgar Evans Jr. as the head coach of the esteemed Maroon Tigers golf team. An accomplished golf professional, entrepreneur and former Southern University golf team member, Evans brings over eight years of experience to inspire the team to unprecedented heights.

“Coach Evans is a transformative leader who brings a dynamic blend of expertise in golf and entrepreneurship to our program,” says Morehouse College athletic director Harold Ellis ’92. “His commitment to excellence and the holistic development of our student-athletes aligns seamlessly with the Morehouse ethos. We believe Coach Evans will inspire our golf team to achieve new heights, fostering a culture of success and sportsmanship that will make the Morehouse community proud.”

Evans joins Morehouse Athletics as the department expands its partnerships with corporations that support the Morehouse Mission and the college’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. One of those corporations is Eastside Golf, a global lifestyle apparel brand dedicated to driving change in golf culture on and off the course. Eastside has donated academic and sports funding for student athletes. Last week, Eastside Golf founders and former Morehouse Golf teammates, Olajuwon Ajakanku (‘12) and Earl Cooper (‘11) visited Morehouse to present the golf team with new clothes, shoes, book bags, and golf bags during a Feb. 22 ceremony held outside the Kilgore Student Center.

Coach Evans and the golf team also received the keys to a custom-painted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van adorned with Maroon Tigers’ and Eastside Golf Swingman logos. The van is on loan to the team for two years.

Ellis, Morehouse’s Athletic Director, said the gifts demonstrate that supporters of Morehouse Athletics are dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers, advancing inclusion and equity in communities, and making a difference for underrepresented student athletes in golf.

“We appreciate the support of our community partners. With these contributions and a new coach at the helm, the Maroon Tigers Golf Team is poised for success,” said Ellis. “Coach Evans has a national profile in golf and will help the team become even more competitive as he attracts new donors to support golf at Morehouse.”

January 26

CLEMSON

Katy Nahm has been named assistant women’s golf coach at Clemson.

Nahm spent time as an assistant coach/associate head coach at Kansas. Before heading to KU in 2011, Nahm spent two years as an instructor/coach at the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. 

Nahm was an assistant coach at Coastal Carolina from 2007-09 and helped the team to a Big South Conference Championship in 2009. 

Nahm played golf at Coastal Carolina and was a three-time All-Big South selection, as well as the league’s freshman of the year, in 2004. In her sophomore season the Lady Chanticleers won the conference team title and she was the individual runner-up.

January 24

JAMES MADISON

James Madison Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne announced Carter Cheves has been extended as head coach of the men’s golf program through the 2027-28 season.

“Carter has been a positive presence and steadying force for our men’s golf program at James Madison,” Bourne said. “He inherited the program amid the COVID pandemic with his first competitive season a shortened spring campaign in 2021 before then facing CAA ineligibility due to transition in 2022. As the program moved to the Sun Belt, the team had a respectable first season in 2022-23 and has already climbed significantly in Sun Belt rankings based upon Fall results this year. He is a positive role model leading our student-athletes not only on the golf course but in all aspects of their collegiate experience. We’re excited for him to continue leading the young men in our golf program.”

Cheves has been part of the JMU men’s golf program for 10 years, first serving as an assistant coach from 2013-2018. After one year away from the program, he returned in 2019 to serve as associate head coach for one year before being named head coach in the summer of 2020. He served one year as head coach at Ohio for the 2018-19 season before returning to James Madison. He also filled the head coaching role for three seasons at Western Carolina prior to his first JMU stint.

Cheves graduated from UNCW in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Prior to UNCW, he played for two years at NC State.

USC UPSTATE

USC Upstate head men’s and women’s golf coach Todd Lawton has announced the hire of Matt Smith as the program’s assistant coach for the men’s and women’s programs.

Smith joins USC Upstate after two seasons as the head men’s golf coach at his alma mater, Truett McConnell University, in Cleveland, Georgia.

In 2022-23, TMU recorded the best season in program history, being ranked as high as No. 13 nationally at the close of the fall season. TMU would go on to claim the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) championship, earning a bid to the NAIA National Championships.

Smith was tabbed AAC Coach of the Year with student-athlete Caden Sanders bringing home AAC medalist honors. Both awards were firsts in program history. Competing in the National Championship, the Bears made the cut for the final round as a team and finished 13th (of 29 teams), marking the best finish in program history.

“I am thrilled to add Matt to our golf staff and look forward to his experience and golf acumen giving our players another resource to get the most out of their games on the course and life off the course,” said USC Upstate head men’s and women’s golf coach Todd Lawton. “As an accomplished player on his own, he brings a strong resume that will help him make an immediate impact. As a person, he is a man of high integrity and moral character and that resonated with me in the process of hiring our newest assistant coach.”

January 23

PEPPERDINE

Jason Allred, a 2014 Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and the first-ever recipient of the prestigious Byron Nelson Award, has been hired as an assistant coach at Pepperdine.

“I’m very thankful Jason is with us,” said head coach Michael Beard. “He will bring experience, competitiveness, a passion to serve, as well as a relational approach. Jason’s high character and love for Pepperdine will make this an easy transition for everyone involved with our program.”

Most recently, Allred has enjoyed working with a Christian Ministry called College Golf Fellowship (CGF) and continues to enjoy the opportunity of serving the world of collegiate and professional players through CGF.

Allred competed for the Waves from 1998-2002, helping lead the squad to West Coast Conference titles all four years he was in the lineup. The team advanced to the NCAA Championships twice, finishing in a tie for 23rd place in 2000 and eighth place in 2002.

He also earned a major prize given for the first time in 2002, the Byron Nelson Award, which is presented to a graduating men’s senior by the GCAA. The honor takes into account a nominee’s entire academic career, college golf career and his character and integrity while in college.

Allred, who is from Ashland, Oregon, arrived at Pepperdine with a victory at the 1997 U.S. Junior Championships.

After graduating, Allred reached golf’s highest level when he earned PGA Tour cards in 2005, 2008 and 2014. Other years, he competed on the Korn Ferry Tour. Throughout his career Allred competed in five major championships, 70 PGA Tour events and 152 tournaments on the Korn Ferry Tour.

January 23

TROY

Nathan Griffin is the new assistant coach for the Troy men’s and women’s golf teams. Griffin joins the Troy staff following a stint as the assistant tournament director for the Alabama Junior Golf Organization.

Prior to his run with the AJGO, Griffin was an operations and administration assistant for the Auburn men’s and women’s golf teams during the fall of 2022, following a year as a graduate assistant for the Jacksonville State athletics department during the 2021-22 athletics season.

Griffin began his professional career as a first teaching assistant at Cider Ridge for 15 months before moving into the assistant pro role at the club for 18 months before moving into the collegiate athletics realm at Jacksonville State.

He was a four-year letterwinner at Faulkner.

January 10

NC STATE

North Carolina State women’s golf coach Page Marsh has made the decision to retire effective immediately. Marsh has served as head coach since its re-establishment in 2000,

Darby Sligh, who joined the Wolfpack staff in June 2018, will succeed Marsh as the program’s next head coach. Sligh just wrapped up her fifth season with the Wolfpack after previously serving as the head coach at Illinois State for 11 seasons (2007-18). “After 24 years, the time has come for me to retire from an extremely rewarding career here at NC State,” said Marsh. “I am so proud to have witnessed all the growth and incredible achievements these student-athletes have gained on and off the golf course. Thank you to all who have enriched my life in so many ways. I wish everyone associated with NC State continued success as you navigate the path to fulfill your dreams.”Marsh, who was named 2002 ACC Coach of the Year, has guided NC State to 11 team tournament wins, 19 NCAA Regional Championship appearances and four NCAA Championship team berths over the last 23 years.

January 10

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Southern Illinois’ Cindy Bodmer announced she will retire at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Bodmer has served as SIU’s women’s golf coach since September of 2022. She is well-known in the local golf community for starting the women’s golf program at Rend Lake College in 1999 and guiding that program to 15 NJCAA National Championship appearances.

“It was an absolute pleasure to work alongside Coach Bodmer these last two seasons,” said SIU Director of Golf Justin Fetcho. “She poured everything she had into the program, and I can’t thank her enough for her contributions both on and off the course. We wish Cindy the absolute best in her retirement and know that she will always be a Saluki.”

After her first season at Southern, Bodmer overhauled the program’s roster by bringing in six freshmen for the 2023-24 campaign.

“Leaving a program is never easy, but I take great comfort in the knowledge it is in great hands moving forward,” Bodmer said. “Coach Fetcho is a proven winner, and I feel fortunate to have worked with him these last two years. I also want to give a shout-out to my dedicated assistant coach, Sarah Haas, for her unwavering commitment to our student athletes. During my time at SIU, teaming with the athletic staff and coaches here was an amazing experience, one I will always hold dear.”

Southern Illinois will conduct a national search this spring to hire Bodmer’s successor.

Wake Forest, Nova Southeastern top first spring 2024 Mizuno WGCA coaches polls

These are the first polls of the 2024 spring season.

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) has announced the results of the most recent Mizuno WGCA Coaches polls.

These are the first polls of the 2024 spring season.

In Division I, Wake Forest opens the spring at No. 1 after receiving all but two first-place votes, while Stanford comes in at No. 2 with the remaining first-place votes. USC and Arkansas come in at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, while South Carolina rounds out the top five.

Nova Southeastern claims the top spot in Division II with 10 first-place votes, while Dallas Baptist and Findlay each received one vote to open the season at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

Here’s a look at the complete Mizuno WGCA polls for Feb. 16.

Here are 5 of the biggest stories from women’s college golf this fall

Here are some of the biggest stories from women’s college golf this fall. 

It seems as if national champions were crowned just yesterday, but instead we’re at the end of the fall college golf season in one of the craziest starts to the year in the sport’s history.

Sure, the top teams have claimed tournament titles and new stars have burst onto the scene, but that doesn’t mean the season has been short on drama and storylines and events that have altered the sport.

College golf is entering a quiet time until February, when it will quickly ramp back up as teams begin the pursuit to make it to Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, California, site of the 2024 NCAA Championships.

Here are some of the biggest stories from women’s college golf this fall.

Meet the 21 golfers on the Annika Award final fall watch list for 2023-24

Here’s a look at the 21 players on the Annika Award final fall watch list.

The fall season in college golf is winding to a close, which means it’s time to recognize players who set themselves apart as frontrunners in women’s college golf over the past two and a half months.

The Annika Award presented by Stifel honors the player of the year in women’s college golf, as selected by college golfers, coaches and members of the college golf media. The players are listed alphabetically. Players on the Haskins Award Watch List were selected by a panel of Golfweek and Golf Channel reporters.

Here’s a look at the 21 players on the Annika Award final fall watch list.

This Pennsylvania university is adding women’s golf as a varsity sport starting in 2024

More opportunities in women’s college golf have opened up.

More opportunities in women’s college golf have opened up.

On Monday, Saint Joseph’s University, located in Philadelphia, announced the addition of women’s golf as a varsity sport for the Hawks. The team will begin competing fall of 2024.

“We are extremely excited to announce the addition of one of the most popular sports for high school girls and college women with the addition of women’s golf,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Jill Bodensteiner said in a post on the university’s website. “During my time on Hawk Hill, I have had more inquiries about starting a women’s golf program than any other sport. I am delighted to offer additional participation opportunities for female student-athletes to receive a Jesuit education at this great institution.”

Saint Joseph’s officials indicated the search for a head coach will begin soon and that the women’s team will need placement in a conference. St. Joe’s competes in the Atlantic 10 in all other sports.

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South Carolina wins, four share medalist honors at 2023 Annika Intercollegiate

Four golfers shared medalist honors after a crazy finish in Minnesota.

LAKE ELMO, Minn. — Kiara Romero stood next to her coach, Derek Radley, on the side of the 18th green.

The freshman at Oregon just walked in a birdie putt on the final hole of her first college tournament. She had no idea where it put her on the leaderboard, but everyone else did.

It gave her a share of the lead.

Radley whispered to Romero that she had won. She threw her hands over her mouth as tears filled her eyes.

Romero was one of four who shared medalists honors Wednesday after the final round of the 2023 Annika Intercollegiate at Royal Golf Club. She, along with South Carolina’s Louise Rydqvist, Duke’s Phoebe Brinker and Florida State’s Lottie Woad all finished at 8-under 208 for the tournament, a grand start to the year at one of the deepest events in women’s college golf.

“I thought I was going to have to make an eagle on the last hole to get the win,” Romero said. “I just wanted to make birdie so I could be in the top three or something.”

However, the birdie was good enough to earn Romero, the 2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion, a college win in her first start.

It was also the first win for Rydqvist, a junior who had a 4-foot putt for birdie on 18 to win outright, but it slid by. Nevertheless, she’s not going home empty handed, as South Carolina won the team title at 26 under, beating Oregon by three strokes and defending event champion and national champion Wake Forest by four.

Rydqvist also earned a coveted exemption into the inaugural The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican taking place Nov. 6-12 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. One player from the winning team earned a spot in the field, and Gamecocks’ coach Kalen Anderson chose Rydqvist, from Sweden, for the honor.

2023 Annika Intercollegiate
South Carolina’s Louise Rydqvist earned an exemption to the 2023 The Annika after her team won the 2023 Annika Intercollegiate. (Photo: Ben Adelberg/The Back of the Range)

“I think I need a minute because it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Rydqvist said. “It feels absolutely incredible. I can’t wait to get down there.”

The Annika, an official LPGA event, will offer a $3.25 million purse, one of the largest outside of the majors. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Annika Foundation.

Each of the four medalists shot 2-under 70s in the final round. Wake Forest’s Mimi Rhodes and South Carolina’s Maylis Lamoure, who were the 36-hole leaders, both missed birdie putts on the final hole to join the winners and finished at even-par 72.

For Woad, a sophomore, it’s the third win of her collegiate career. Brinker, a senior, won for the second time, including a win at the 2022 ACC Championship. She finished fourth last year at the Annika Intercollegiate and lost in a playoff at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invite in the spring.

2023 Annika Intercollegiate
The four co-medalists of the 2023 Annika Intercollegiate, from L-R: South Carolina’s Louise Rydqvist, Duke’s Phoebe Brinker, Florida State’s Lottie Woad and Oregon’s Kiara Romero. (Photo: Ben Adelberg/The Back of the Range)

Meanwhile, South Carolina had a lead as big as 10 shots early in the final round, but it also shrunk to as small as one on the back nine. Two-time first-team All-American Hannah Darling and freshman Vairana Heck each made pivotal birdies down the stretch, as well as Rydqvist and Lamoure, to help South Carolina pull back away.

It’s the third time South Carolina has won the Annika Intercollegiate.

“It was awesome, what a great way to start the season,” Anderson said. “We had a really great qualifier, and it’s nice to see them come out and play great golf.”

Heck shot 4-under 68 on Wednesday, which tied the low round of the day, and finished T-9. Darling finished 17th at 3 under.

Thanks to a pair of 18th-hole eagles from Briana Chacon and Minori Nagano, Oregon moved into second place past defending champ Wake Forest. Freshman Macy Pate finished T-9 at 6 under for the Demon Deacons while Carol Chacarra tied for 15th at 5 under.

Chacon, Lamoure, Rhodes and Texas freshman Farah O’Keefe finished runner-up at 7 under.

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Why this four-time Wake Forest All-American chose to come back for a fifth year

“I feel like another year of maturing and letting my game develop, I figured it could only do me some good.”

LAKE ELMO, Minn. — When reading Rachel Kuehn’s roster page on the Wake Forest website, it’s easy to get lost in the myriad accolades listed while scrolling.

A four-time All-America selection. Two-time Curtis Cup member. Four times on the Arnold Palmer Cup team. A national champion.

The resume is that of the greatest player in Wake Forest history. It’s a resume that’s on par with many of the best college golfers in the history of the sport.

Yet, even after four successful years representing the Demon Deacons, Kuehn is back as a graduate student for her fifth season. She began her season in Minnesota this week in the Annika Intercollegiate at Royal Golf Club.

She had opportunities to turn professional. Instead, she’s lugging her Wake Forest bag around and playing team golf one final season.

“I’ve just improved so much in my four years, I felt like it was a no-brainer coming back,” Kuehn said. “Professional golf is always going to be there. You get such a limited amount of time to play college golf and to play on a team like this. I love the girls, I love my coaches. My facilities at Wake are incredible. So I feel like another year of maturing and letting my game develop, I figured it could only do me some good.”

Last year, Kuehn became the sixth women’s golfer to be named the ACC Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. She also set a program record for the lowest single-season scoring average in program history with a 70.53 average over 36 rounds played. She also won twice and went undefeated in match play at the NCAA Championship.

2023 NCAA Championship
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons celebrate with the trophy after winning the NCAA women’s Golf Championships at Grayhawk Golf Club on May 24, 2023, in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Even after playing lights out at Grayhawk Golf Club in May, there was never a question on Kuehn decision’s to come back.

“It was right after COVID hit,” Wake Forest coach Kim Lewellen said of Kuehn’s decision. “I asked her whether she would want to come back for a fifth year, and I think it took her about half a day.

“It’s outstanding to have Rachel back for so many reasons. She’s a leader. She’s you know, she just loves Wake Forest and she brings that energy for all of us.”

Heading into the final round of the Annika Intercollegiate, Wake Forest, the defending event champion, sits second at 18 under, three strokes behind South Carolina. Although Kuehn didn’t have the start to the season she wanted – she’s even-par after 36 holes – her leadership abilities are unquestioned.

Kuehn stood in the rain at the end of the round and went and welcomed each of her teammates who finished behind her and brought their bags from the green to the clubhouse. She prides herself on leading by example in every facet.

There’s a long season ahead between now and the NCAA Championship at Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, California, come May, but Kuehn is eager for her last ride in college golf.

“I just want to use this year as a personal growth year in order to kind of get myself ready to turn professional next fall,” Kuehn said.

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South Carolina in front, packed individual leaderboard among takeaways from second round of Annika Intercollegiate

Wednesday’s final round is shaping up to be spectacular.

LAKE ELMO, Minn. — The day started under cloudy skies and ended in light rain, but there was plenty of sunshine in between at Royal Golf Club on Tuesday during the second round of the Annika Intercollegiate.

One of the premier women’s college golf events on the calendar, the field at the Annika Intercollegiate is loaded. Defending national champion Wake Forest is also the defending tournament champion, and the Demon Deacons creeped closer to South Carolina after the second round. The Gamecocks remain in front after 36 holes.

Meanwhile, the race for the individual title is tight. There are nine players at or within two shots of the lead, meaning the title is up for grabs come Wednesday.

Here’s everything you need to know from the second round of the Annika Intercollegiate.