Smith Honored as LPGA T&CP Coach of the Year

Coach Betsy Smith, who led the Golden West College women’s golf squad to its best finish ever in 2002, was recently selected as Coach of the Year for Western states by the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division.

Smith, who has taken charge of the GWC women’s golf program since its inception three years ago, said she was made aware of her nomination by the LPGA and was pleasantly surprised to hear her name at the top of the leader board for western state schools.

“Being a community college coach, you’re actually up against all schools, including four-year schools, so it’s a big honor,” Smith said. “I was very happy to receive this award.”

An LPGA Class A teaching professional and professor of Physical Education, Smith led GWC to a 15-3 record in 2002, the best season ever at GWC and a second place finish in the Orange Empire Conference.

Established in 1980, the awarded is presented annually to a woman golf professional who is actively engaged in teaching and/or coaching golf at the college, university or high school level. The LPGA T&CP also honors a Professional and Teacher of the Year in five sections across the country.