BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford Athletic Department announced Monday the hiring of Rachel Ingram as the Bulldogs' head women's golf coach. She comes to Samford from East Tennessee State University where she served as an assistant coach for the previous two seasons.
"It is a huge blessing and opportunity of a lifetime to coach a group of talented young ladies at such a great university," said Ingram. "I am so honored to be a part of a wonderful group of colleagues and mentors in the athletic department. I cannot wait to put on the Samford red and blue and compete in our first event of the season in two weeks."
Ingram, a native of Johnson City, Tenn., joined the ETSU coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in 2010, and was named an assistant coach prior to the 2011-12 campaign.
During her first year at East Tennessee State, Ingram took a more active role in the Buccaneers' on-course coaching as she and an assistant coach filled in for decorated Head Coach Stefanie Shelton while she was on maternity leave. Even as a volunteer assistant coach, Ingram showed the acumen, dedication and drive to help guide the ETSU program during the 2010-11 season.
In 2013, Ingram played a pivotal role in leading East Tennessee State to the Atlantic Sun Conference championship title. For the second time in program history, ETSU captured the conference championship in 2013 thanks to a tournament total of 880, holding off defending champion Kennesaw State on the final day of competition at the Jekyll Island Golf Club's Pine Lakes Course.
Individually, the Buccaneers placed three players in the top seven on the leaderboard, led by a second-place effort by junior Sian Evans and a third-place showing by sophomore Gabrielle Wahl. Evans finished at 2-under-par for the tournament, while Wahl ended the event at 1-under. Meanwhile, true freshman Vivienne Chin finished seventh and was 1-over-par for the championships.
Under Ingram's watchful eye, Evans and Wahl both earned all-tournament honors, and with the victory ETSU made its third trip to the NCAA Championships in the last six seasons – with two automatic bids (2008 and 2013) and one at-large bid (2010).
As a graduate of the University of Mississippi in May of 2010, Ingram received four varsity letters as a member of the women's golf team. Ingram's college career low was 71 at the Derby Intercollegiate (Auburn University) in 2008. This personal best in the final round helped the Lady Rebels get their third straight, top-five finish. Her best individual finish was a 228 to place 14th at the Chrysler ACC/ SEC Challenge (Florida State University) in 2005.
An outstanding golfer, Ingram continues to compete at a high level and has earned top-25 finishes in summer amateur tournaments which include the following: Women's Southern Amateur '06; Women's Western Amateur '06; Golf Capital of TN Women's Open '09; and TN State Amateur '10.
Ingram also played in team events representing the state of Tennessee. She competed in the USGA State Team Championship in '09, as well as the Southeastern Women's Amateur (SWATCA) in'09 and '10. Ingram played in the LPGA Futures' Tour Qualifying School in November 2010 and competed on the Suncoast Tour in the spring of 2011.
During her time at East Tennessee State, Ingram also served as a golf swing instructor at Blackthorn Club at The Ridges, one of the top golf courses that ETSU plays on a regular basis. Her expertise is in swing mechanics and course management.
Ingram earned a Bachelor's degree in marketing communications with a focus in public relations. Outside of golf and earning her degree, she interned with two marketing departments in the Oxford, Miss., area. She interned with Rebel Sports Marketing and the Marketing Relations department at the Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi.
Rachel Ingram Timeline
Years, Pos., Organization
2013-present, Head Coach, Samford University
2011-13, Assistant Coach, East Tennessee State University
2010-11, Volunteer Assistant Coach, East Tennessee State University
2006-10, Played Collegiate Golf at Ole Miss
