Lander to Start Women's Golf in 2011-12 Academic Year

GREENWOOD - The highly successful Lander men's golf program will soon have company.  Lander athletic director Jeff May announced today that women's golf will be added to the Bearcat athletic program and begin play in the fall of 2011.

"There is growing interest in women's golf at the high school level throughout South Carolina and this region of the country," said May. "We began the process of looking at the possibility of sponsoring women's golf in early 2009. We look forward to our first team competing in the fall of 2011."

According to May, four Peach Belt Conference schools have added women's golf in the past two years. Last spring, Flagler won the inaugural PBC women's championship over Armstrong Atlantic, Montevallo, UNC Pembroke, Columbus State and North Georgia.

"Our men's program has experienced tremendous success since it was reestablished in 2005 under Coach Chipper Bagwell's guidance and we are hopeful that in time our women's program will enjoy some of the same successes," added May. "Coach Bagwell will serve as head coach for both programs as we implement this new sport."

Assistant coaches will be assigned by Bagwell.

"I look forward to building a women's golf team that can compete in our league as well as nationally," said Bagwell, who men's team finished 2010 ranked No. 7 nationally.  "Our men's team has been a national contender and I want the same for our women’s golf team.

"The support in the Greenwood community has been tremendous.  We have an abundance of golf courses that have opened their arms to us.  The courses along with our beautiful campus and academic opportunities will help recruit quality student/athletes."