DENVER–Former University of Denver associate head coach Lindsay Hulwick has been named the Pioneers’ new women’s golf head coach, DU Vice Chancellor of Athletics and Recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes announced on Thursday.
“I would personally like to thank Peg Bradley-Doppes and Ron Grahame for believing in me to lead the women's golf program here at DU,” Hulwick said. “I have been extremely fortunate to have worked for two great mentors and successful women's golf coaches and am excited to lead a program of my own. I look forward to continuing the Pioneer traditions and great successes of the women's golf program that Sammie Chergo helped build in her 15-year tenure.”
In her previous stint, Hulwick spent seven seasons with the Pioneers, including three as an associate head coach. During her time at DU, the Pioneers won the program’s first-ever regional crown in 2008-09, and made three-straight appearances to the NCAA Championships. Denver placed fifth at the 2009 Championships, the top finish in program history. The Pioneers won the Sun Belt Conference title all seven seasons under Hulwick.
“Our women’s golf program experienced its greatest success while she was here,” Bradley-Doppes said. “She is from this area, she knows this area and she helped recruit these student-athletes. We have full confidence that with this move, our program is in great hands.”
The Littleton, Colo., native originally came to DU after a successful college career at Tulane, where she was an all-conference performer all four seasons. Hulwick comes back to the Pioneers after spending the fall as an assistant coach at the University of Georgia.
“I am so excited to be back at DU,” Hulwick said. “It has always been my dream to be a head women's golf coach, and for it to be at the University of Denver, is better than I could have ever imagined. I have helped recruit the women on the team and have already coached most of them, and I absolutely believe that we can have a successful spring and contend to win tournaments this year and in the future. All of the athletic department staff and coaches know what it takes to win here and I am ecstatic to be a part of the DU culture.”
Hulwick takes over for Chergo, who started the women’s golf program at Denver in 1998. Chergo announced her resignation at the beginning of the month. Erik Billinger will remain on staff under Hulwick as the associate head coach.
“Erik has excelled in PGA instruction, and that has been well recognized by his colleagues,” Bradley-Doppes said of Billinger’s promotion to associate head coach. “He’s a great teacher of the game, and I think the two of them (Billinger and Hulwick) will make a great coaching tandem here at the University of Denver.”
The Pioneers will begin their spring season with the Central District Invitational in Parish, Fla., on February 18.