Story Courtesy of MAC Sports Information
KENT, Ohio - Kent State University women's golf head coach Lisa Strom was named the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) National Coach of the Year on Thursday.
The national award winners were selected by the LPGA T&CP membership's Executive Committee from the pool of the section award winners voted on by officers of the six regional sections: Central, International, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and Western. Other winners include: Sheryl Maize, Crystal Lake Golf Club in Lakeville, Minnesota and Tatum Ridge Golf Course in Sarasota, Florida, Teacher of the Year; Carole Clark, The Club at Grandezza in Estero, Florida, Professional of the Year; Jennifer Bermingham, Coto De Caza Golf & Racquet Club in Coto De Caza, California, Junior Golf Leader of the Year.
The LPGA T&CP Coach of the Year Award was established in 1980 and is awarded annually to an LPGA Teaching and Club Professional member who is actively engaged in teaching and/or coaching golf at the collegiate or high school level.
"I am honored to be named the LPGA T&CP National Coach of the Year," said Strom. "It wouldn't be possible without the mentors I have in my life, along with the incredibly talented student-athletes and clients I have been able to work alongside. Being recognized by the LPGA is a by-product of putting first things first and making sure the student-athletes are provided with an environment in which they can thrive. Knowing my influence on them during their college years is so important, I have realized my impact goes far beyond a golf score. I appreciate everyone who has trusted me with coaching them and I hope to continue learning and growing for years to come."
Strom, who took over the program as head coach this season, guided the sixth-ranked Flashes to four top-two finishes during the fall season which included three-straight tournament wins. Kent State has three golfers nationally-ranked in No. 9 Pimnipa Panthong, No. 17 Karoline Stormo, and No. 32 Caley McGinty.
Prior to Kent State, Strom spent three years as head coach at Texas State where she led the Bobcats to a historic 2018-19 season. Adding to her coaching resume, Strom also spent five-and-a-half years as an assistant coach at her alma mater Ohio State. The duo of Strom and Hall of Fame head coach Therese Hession guided the Buckeyes to six-straight NCAA Regional appearances and showings at the NCAA Championships. At Ohio State, Strom played a key role in recruiting, team travel and instruction with the student-athletes on all aspects of their game.
Strom turned professional in August 2000 and competed in more than 50 LPGA-sponsored events as a member of the LPGA Tour (2003, 2007-2010). In 2007, she earned a career-best finish of 13th at the Navistar LPGA Classic. She also competed on the Futures Tour for seven seasons
All four awards will be presented during the T&CP Rolex Awards Reception at the 2020 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando on Jan. 23.
