Three of Australia’s top female coaches have been added to Golf Australia’s national coaching panel.
High performance director Brad James said the addition of the vastly experience trio of Rachel Hetherington, Virginia Irwin and Shani Waugh was an invaluable asset.
“All three coaches have incredible – and varied – backgrounds in golf, but all have amazing skill sets that will really be advantageous to our up-and-coming athletes,” James said.
“More than that, all three are incredibly passionate about the sport and we are sure that will benefit all who share their experience and knowledge.”
The five existing national coaches — Ritchie Smith (WA), Dean Kinney (NSW), Marty Joyce (Vic), Tony Meyer (Qld) and Gareth Jones (SA) – remain, and the women join Ryan Lumsden, Stuart Leong and Paul Skinner as members of the extended panel.
Hetherington had a legendary career, winning eight of her 11 professional titles on the LPGA Tour, including the Evian Masters, before turning her hand to coaching.
Waugh, the current president of the ALPG Tour, toured for 16 years and had several victories at home and internationally, including the 2005 Thai Ladies Open, before also turning her hand to coaching almost a decade ago and guiding Australia to gold and bronze medals in the World Amateur Teams Championship.
Irwin has spent her career as a coach and mentor and is one of Australia’s most qualified coaches. She coached the national team at the Queen Sirikit Cup this year and to victor at the Astor Trophy as well as leading several Queensland teams in interstate competition.
The group will share coaching responsibilities at events, attend camps and other national coaching events.