Susan Holt becomes the fourth head coach in the history of the Notre Dame women's golf program since it became a varsity sport in 1988-89.

Susan Holt Named Head Coach For Women's Golf At Notre Dame

Aug. 30, 2006

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Susan Holt has been named head coach for women’s golf at the University of Notre Dame. Holt has spent the last 13 seasons as the women’s golf head coach at the University of South Florida. She becomes the second full-time head coach in the history of the Fighting Irish program and the fourth overall since women’s golf became a varsity sport in 1988-89.

“First and foremost, I was attracted by the opportunity to come to what I believe is the best academic and athletic combination that’s out there,” says Holt.

“The commitment to the golf program with the course and the new indoor facility makes a statement. As a coach you want to know that you have a chance to be successful and you can tell that’s how it is at Notre Dame and it’s impressive to see that.”

A native of Dayton, Ohio, Holt will be making a return to the Midwest, where she began her college coaching career at Purdue University. She was at the helm of the women’s golf program at Purdue for four seasons from 1990-93 before taking the position at South Florida.

Holt directed the USF program to 16 team titles and 17 runner-up titles, including five of 10 Conference USA Championships. She has guided the team and/or individuals to 11 NCAA Regional appearances and two consecutive trips to the NCAA Championship Finals in 2001 and 2002.

Holt’s teams at South Florida have won at least one tournament in 10 of her 13 seasons and she has been recognized as Conference USA Coach of the Year in 1996, 1999 and 2001. In the spring of 2005, Holt was named Conference USA Coach of the Decade for women’s golf (1995-2005). Under Holt’s watch, South Florida players have been named to the Conference USA All-Conference Team 23 times. Current LPGA player and South Florida graduate Kelly Lagedrost was named Conference USA Player of the Year in 2001. Current South Florida golfer Christina Jones was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 2005.

Over the past 12 years Holt’s teams have excelled academically as well. Eighteen times players have been named to the National Golf Coaches Association All Scholar Golf Team (3.5 grade-point average and play in 66 percent of events) and 18 times have earned the Conference USA Commissioners Academic Medal (minimum 3.75 GPA). Seventy-five times players have earned all-Conference USA academic team honors (minimum 3.0 GPA). This past year 10 players were named to the BIG EAST Conference Academic All-Star Team (minimum 3.0 GPA). The overall team grade point average over the past 12 years is an impressive 3.24.

“I’m really looking forward to becoming a part of the Notre Dame family,” says Holt.

“When I was up there for my visit everyone was so gracious and seemed excited to come to work every day. I can’t wait to be a part of that.”

Prior to college coaching Holt worked as a club professional in West Palm Beach, Fla., and Ipswich, Mass. She is a 1988 graduate of Ohio State University, where she played on the women’s golf team that won Big Ten Championships in 1985 and 1988 and played in the NCAA Championship those same years.

Holt graduated from Fairmont High School in Kettering, Ohio. She has been a member of the PGA of America since 1992.

Susan married Tim Holt of Kokomo, Ind., in 1993 and they are the parents of two children, Justin and Kristin.

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