College Golf Today: Inspiring Tomorrow's Coaches and Players

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with Heather Fortushniak, the Head Women's Golf Coach at Oakland University. Heather shares how she went from a player at Kansas State to coaching at the Division I level overnight. Aspiring coaches can glean fantastic advice from her story and tips she learned along the way. Heather has led Oakland to back-to-back conference cham...

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with Rob Ferguson, the head women's golf coach at Marymount University. Rob began the Division 3 women's golf program 12 years ago and shares what he has learned about recruiting, practice and winning. His background as a PGA Professional also brings him a different perspective on how to best develop his players. Rob gives ne...

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with Jay Goble, the head women's golf coach at Baylor University. Jay is credited with leading Baylor to 10 of its 11 NCAA Championship appearances and its first No. 1 ranking. He takes us behind the scenes of his coaching strategies, which include defining success with his players, course management, schedule expansion and an emp...

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with MaryJo "MJ" McCloskey, the head women's golf coach at George Fox University. MJ kicks us off by reflecting on her recent induction into the WGCA's Hall of Fame, surrounded by some of her team members. She started the women's golf program at George Fox from scratch 20 years ago, and they have stood on the N...

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with Mikayla Ash, the assistant coach and director of operations of the women's golf team at Texas. Mikayla shares her coaching journey thus far. She emphasizes building trust with student-athletes by showing that you care, listening and getting to know them beyond their scores.  Mikayla outlines her assistant coach and operations...

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with Roger Yaffe, the recently retired Executive Director of the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA). In the role for 26 years, Roger is credited for elevating women's college golf to where it is today. From quintupling the number of coaches in the organization to gaining more visibility through deals with partners like G...

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with Kelley Hester, the head coach of Clemson's women's golf team. Kelley has been the president of the WGCA twice, with her most recent term just ending this year. She shares her experience coaching at a variety of programs, the importance of a supportive partner, why coaches need to network and her take on how NIL and roste...

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with Tiffany Joh, an 11-year LPGA Tour veteran, former college coach and now the assistant coach of the U.S. National Development Program at the USGA. Tiff shares her journey from playing at UCLA and on the LPGA Tour to becoming an assistant college golf coach at Cal State San Marcos, then the University of Southern California. She als...

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with Kevin Williams, the Director of Golf and Head Coach of the Women's and Men's teams at East Carolina University. Kevin shares how he started the women's program from scratch, what he looks for in his recruits, why specializing in a sport too early could be a risk and his take on the future of women's college gol...

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with Jonathan Howard, the recently appointed head women's golf coach at William & Mary. Jonathan shares his journey into coaching, his learnings as a new Division 1 coach coming from the Division 3 level, his thoughts about hosting a larger golf tournament and how academics play an interesting role in the transfer portal for s...

In this episode of College Golf Today , host Kelly Okun speaks with Lauren Guiao, assistant women’s golf coach at Purdue University and alumna of the golf program herself. Lauren shares how she switched from an accounting path to coaching, knowing it was the right move after her first tournament on the other side of the ropes. She also explains how she navigated coaching former teammates by balanc...

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Kelsie Warren, head women’s golf coach at Methodist University, two-time Coach of the Year and recipient of the Kim Evans Award. Kelsie shares her path from Methodist’s Professional Golf Management (PGM) program and internships into coaching at the Division III level and explains how her playing experience and PGM training help her...

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Dan Brooks, Duke University's women's head golf coach for the last 43 years.  Together, they explore Coach Brooks' journey into coaching, from his early career in the regular golf business to leading Duke to numerous championships. Coach Brooks shares insights on effective coaching, college recruitment strategies, th...