Emilee Klein-Gille, former British Open winner, has been named the new women's golf coach at the University of Tulsa. Klein-Gille replaces Randy Keck, who stepped down after guiding the Golden Hurricane from 2007-2014.
Klein-Gille said that the Hurricanes golf program has incredible community and administrative support.
"I bring something to the table that is very unique in the fact that I've been there and done that and won," said Klein-Gille. "I feel like the girls trust me. Because of that, it allows me the capability to really make an impact and help them get better," Tulsa World reports.
An 11-year veteran of the LPGA Tour, Klein-Gille was an All-American at the Arizona State University in the 1990s. She led the team to consecutive NCAA team titles in 1993 and 1994; won the NCAA individual title at the 1994 championship and was named Golf Digest's LPGA Rookie of the Year in 1995.
Klein-Gille started her professional career in 1995 and conquered three LPGA tournaments including the 1996 Weetabix Women's British Open. She was a member of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team in 2002, Golf Week reports.
Klein-Gille has six years of college coaching experience at Central Florida and San Diego State. She left coaching to support her dad's insurance business. She decided to make a comeback to the game as she realised that selling insurance is not her forte.
Klein-Gille was waiting for the right opportunity.
"When the Tulsa job opened, I just got very excited. I know what it takes to be a good coach," Klein-Gille said. Golf is all that I know, so to get back into it won't be difficult."
