College Golf Today: Inspiring Tomorrow's Coaches and Players

Kelley Hester | Clemson University Women's Golf

In this episode of College Golf Today [https://fairwaytogreen.com/podcasts/college-golf-today-inspiring-tomorrows-coaches-and-players/], 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 roster caps are changing college golf. Kelley has seen so much in college golf, and her insights are valuable to all looking to join this community as a coach or student-athlete.

Tiffany Joh | U.S. National Development Program (USGA)

In this episode of College Golf Today [https://fairwaytogreen.com/podcasts/college-golf-today-inspiring-tomorrows-coaches-and-players/], 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 also dives into the importance of relationships and data when it comes to building trust with her athletes and then effectively helping them improve. She provides some fantastic coaching advice that was passed down to her when she started that all aspiring coaches will enjoy. Tiff joined the U.S. National Development Program to help pave the way for junior golfers to make the most of their talent and work ethic and support them from their beginning days to hopefully the days they turn professional and beyond.

Kevin Williams | East Carolina University Women's Golf

In this episode of College Golf Today [https://fairwaytogreen.com/podcasts/college-golf-today-inspiring-tomorrows-coaches-and-players/], 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 golf.  With so much wisdom in just this episode, it's no surprise Kevin was named the 2025 Kim Evans Award recipient and the incoming president of the WGCA.

Jonathan Howard | William & Mary Women's Golf

In this episode of College Golf Today [https://fairwaytogreen.com/podcasts/college-golf-today-inspiring-tomorrows-coaches-and-players/], 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 schools like William & Mary. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships as a college golf coach and staying true to yourself. He also dives into what it's like to rebuild a team culture as the "new kid."

Lauren Guiao | Purdue University Women's Golf

In this episode of College Golf Today [https://fairwaytogreen.com/podcasts/college-golf-today-inspiring-tomorrows-coaches-and-players/], 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 balancing personal relationships with constructive critique, a transition many up-and-coming coaches may face.  Lauren then dives into why the assistant golf coach role is her favorite place to be, relaying her responsibilities with recruiting, tournament qualifying and, most importantly, her players' success on and off the golf course. She finishes with yet another definition of success [https://fairwaytogreen.com/kelsie-warrens-definition-of-success-for-her-college-golfers/] that aspiring and current golf coaches should add to their philosophies.