Womens' Golf Gets New Coach

[Brad]

Courtesy USF

USF WOMEN'S GOLF

USF Selects Marci Kornegay To Lead Women’s Golf Team

TAMPA, Fla. (June 5, 2007) – Marci Kornegay has been selected to lead the University of South Florida women’s golf team into the 2007-08 season, as announced by Director of Athletics Doug Woolard Tuesday afternoon.  

Kornegay, who was a four-year golfer at the University of Mississippi, will bring five years of collegiate coaching experience to the Bulls, including her most recent appointment at the University of South Carolina, where she was an assistant coach since July of 2004. Kornegay is a nominee for the 2006-07 NGCA Assistant Golf Coach of the Year.

While at USC, Kornegay served as the recruiting coordinator and was the tournament director for the annual Lady Gamecock Classic, as well as assisting with the women's golf budget, arranging all team travel, working with the strength and conditioning staff to coordinate the team's weight program and working with the academics staff to monitor the team's academic progress.

Kornegay’s coaching philosophy is to develop and foster an environment for athletic, academic and social success. She wants to ensure that the student-athlete has competitive success as well as a positive overall collegiate experience upon graduating.

"Marci impressed all of us with her passion and vision," said Woolard. "She has been successful both as a collegiate player and in a variety of coaching roles since her graduation from Mississippi. She has left a positive mark everywhere she has been and we feel like she is the perfect fit to lead our women's golf program."

Kornegay's time at South Carolina was marked by success both on and off the course, as the Gamecocks advanced to the post-season in each of her seasons in Columbia. In 2007 USC earned a fourth-place finish in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and earned the 25th spot on the May Golfstat ranking.

In both 2005 and 2006, the team was recognized as the NGCA All-Scholar Team of the Year. The team also set a new school record for highest combined grade point average in 2005 by posting a 3.832 GPA.

With Kornegay on the coaching staff, a Gamecock was honored with the 2006 Dinah Shore Trophy, for being the top women's golfer in the nation, and another player was recognized as the 2006 SEC Women's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

“Everybody is so excited about where the program is going, and there is a real community of people working together to make the program better,” continued Kornegay. “I see a steady and consistent women’s golf program, but one that maybe has gotten comfortable with going to the NCAA Regionals. It’s time for us to consistently start contending at the NCAA Championship.”

Prior to her time at South Carolina, Kornegay was the associate head golf coach at Winthrop University in 2003-2004, where she was the co-tournament director of three tournaments and was the assistant director for the Winthrop golf camps. She coached three Presidential Scholars and a handful of Big South Conference selections while working with both the men’s and women’s squads.

As a one-year assistant at Louisiana State University, Kornegay served as the tournament director of the NCAA East Regional in 2002 and coached players with accolades such as the Dinah Shore Trophy and the Nancy Lopez Award, along with golfers in the USGA Amateur, the Women’s Western Amateur and the North-South Amateur.

A 2001 graduate of Mississippi, Kornegay appeared on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in all four of her years at Ole Miss, highlighted by a spot on the Dean's List in 2001. She earned Rebel Ringer honors for having the lowest cumulative score on the team in 1999, 2000 and 2001. In addition, Kornegay, who attended Savannah Christian High School (Ga.), earned the team leadership award in 2000 and 2001 and was named team captain her senior year.

Away from coaching, Kornegay has spent two years on the amateur golf tour, earning medalist honors at the 2004 USGA Mid-Am Qualifier and participating in the 2005 Southern Women’s Amateur. She is an LPGA teaching and club professional, and is a member of the National Golf Coaches Association.

“I am eager to get to Tampa and hit the ground running,” said Kornegay. “There is no better time than the present to do something great.”

“I believe the USF Bulls have a bright future ahead of them and I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to lead our program to conference championships and be national contenders. Talented golfers who believe in themselves, have discipline and the desire to compete to win will be extremely successful in our golf program.”