By Matt Bradshaw —

Following a record-breaking 2018 in which they finished 15th at the NCAA Championships, the women’s golf team has a new head coach on deck. Assistant coach Whitney Young will take over for head coach Courtney Trimble at the conclusion of the 2019 season.

“I want to thank the University of Louisville and Vince Tyra for giving me this opportunity,” Young said. “As a native Kentuckian, being able to represent the University of Louisville is an honor.”

Young signed a five-year agreement to become head coach through 2024. Her predecessor, Trimble, led the way for six years and captured a conference championship along with five-consecutive trips to the NCAA Regional Championships.

“It has been my privilege to work at the University of Louisville and lead the women’s golf program over the last six years, and be a part of the Louisville community,” Trimble said. “We have achieved a great deal on the golf course, within the community and in the classroom. I am so proud of how the program has grown and improved. Working with exceptional student-athletes has made this job truly special.”

Trimble and Young share much in common, as both finished their own playing careers in golf as decorated student-athletes and professionals.

Trimble became an All-American back in 2002 when she led Auburn to a national runner-up finish. The Georgia native later made the cut for the 2004 U. S. Women’s Open, competed on the Futures Tour for over two years and logged four top-five finishes.

She continued with a historic career in coaching, beginning as an assistant with Auburn before guiding UCF to the program’s first NCAA Championship appearance in school history. During her time at U of L, Trimble produced nine all-conference selections in six seasons.

“We sincerely appreciate all Courtney has done at U of L while advancing our program,” athletics director Vince Tyra said. “This past year’s success in becoming our second team to reach the NCAA Championships is a great achievement in which we intend to build upon moving forward.”

If their similar histories as athletes is any indication for the continued success of Louisville women’s golf, then Young is a stellar replacement for Trimble.

Young is one of the most decorated golfers in Kentucky’s history. She logged three top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships while a student-athlete at Georgia, along with leading the Bulldogs to 10 team tournament titles.

The Glasgow native continued her career as a professional and notched nine top-10 finishes on the Futures Tour in three years. Young won the Duramed Tour Championship in 2009.

“Whitney’s terrific success as a player has translated well into her coaching career, as evidenced by her leadership as interim coach while Courtney was on maternal leave recently,” Tyra said. “She has proven that she is more than capable of taking over for Courtney. She was a highly accomplished player who has a stellar reputation as a recruiter, relating very well to those she is seeking to attract to U of L.”

Young began her coaching career as an assistant at Georgia, where she coached the program to three NCAA Regional Championship appearances and the 2016 regional title. In two seasons as an assistant coach for the Cardinals, Young has seen four tournament wins and a victory over Kentucky in the 2018 Battle of the Bluegrass.

“I’m very confident that Whitney Young taking over the program will keep driving things forward and this team will continue to flourish and achieve great things under her guidance,” Trimble said.

Women’s golf competed fall play ranked No. 28 in the nation. They return to the course Feb. 10 for the Battle of the Bluegrass State against Kentucky.

“Louisville has created one of the best student-athlete experiences in the country,” Young said. “I am excited to build on the strong foundation that Courtney Trimble and our alumnae have set for our program.”

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Photo courtesy / Louisville Athletics