Hard work and dedication is what head coach Kelly Meyers brought to the University of Louisville just six short years ago when she was hired to build a women's golf program. Meyers took that job seriously and quickly put Louisville women's golf on the map nationally. Her sixth year squad enters the spring with a national ranking of 58th and a regional ranking of 21st. After a disappointing season last year, Meyers added much needed depth to the Cardinal lineup with transfer Adrienne White and freshman Jenny Calkins. The move paid off as the Cardinals broke several school records in the fall, including the low tournament score and low round in the USF/Beacon Woods Invitational. The Cardinals did all this without sophomore Katie Tewell, an All-Conference USA performer last season. Tewell is expected to return to the lineup this spring, adding much anticipation for a successful spring season. Last season the Cardinals were face with the adversity of playing without their top returner, forcing a young Louisville lineup for much of the season. Junior Meghan Little stepped up and led the young squad and became the first Louisville player to win two tournament titles. After sitting out the fall season, sophomore Elly Leonard made her spring debut by winning titlest honors. Despite the lack of depth in 2003-04 the Cardinals were able to finish fourth in the Conference USA Championship. During the 2001-02 season the Cardinals had a strong fall showing, ending it with the Edwin Watts Palmetto Intercollegiate title, their first tournament win in school history. Louisville entered the spring of the 2002 season ranked 47th nationally and 11th in the region, their highest ranking. But early into the spring season the Cards were faced with adversity, losing their number three player for most of the season. The Cardinals' lack of depth showed and they were unable to recover and earn their second straight NCAA bid. The Cards finished the season with seven Top 10 finishes in their 11 tournaments. During the 2000-01 season Meyers guided Louisville to six Top Five finishes in their 11 tournaments. The Cardinals finished third at the Conference USA Championship. In just their second year of existence, the Cardinals earned a bid as the 17th seed in the NCAA East Regional. Louisville finished tied for 15th but did not finish the third round of play due to the weather conditions. In her first season as a head coach, Meyers was voted the 2000 Conference USA Coach of the Year. Meyers earned the honor after guiding her squad to a second place finish in the Conference USA Championships. Meyers also saw a member of her first recruiting class, Katherine Mowat, earn medalist honors at the Conference USA Championship. In her five short seasons at Louisville, Meyers has coached six players that went on to earn All-Conference USA honors. Four of her players have gone on to win titlest honors at five different tournaments. Sophomore Adrienne White is currently ranked 31st nationally after her first fall season with the Cardinals. Meyers brings over 26 years of amateur and professional experience to the Cardinal golf program. She spent four seasons as assistant coach with the University of Florida program. In the spring of 1998, she took over as interim head coach and led the Lady Gators to a second place finish in the NCAA championships. As the assistant with the Gators she helped coordinate the team's schedule, practices and travel. Meyers also handled the team's equipment coordination and had budgetary and recruiting responsibilities. Prior to her stint at Florida, Meyers served as the assistant golf pro at Tucson National Golf and Conference Resort. In professional competition, Meyers has posted several top finishes, including two top-10 mini-tour placings during the 1994 season. A native of South Dakota, she competed in the Players West Mini Tour in California for three seasons (1992-94) and won the 1994 Rose Hogan Commemorative Award. She also served as a golf instructor at Eastern Wyoming College from 1991-93 and as an amateur assistant at Meadowbrook Golf Course in Rapid City, S.D., in 1990. Meyers set numerous records at the University of Wyoming where she earned her degree in business administration in 1990. Meyers won the 1988 South Dakota Women's Amateur Championship as a sophomore. She is a six-time qualifier for the National Publix Amateur and took home various titles and set a number of course records during her 16 years as an amateur golfer. She is also an LPGA Class A member of the teaching and club professional divison. Meyers served on the NGCA Awards Committee and the NGCA Ethics Committee. She also served on the Regional Advisory Committee. |
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