Morgan announces hiring of Strudwick to helm women’s golf program

Carson-Newman athletic director Allen Morgan has announced the hiring of 23-year LPGA tour professional Suzanne Strudwick as Carson-Newman’s next women’s golf coach.

“It was extremely important to me that Suzanne was capable of working with younger players,” Morgan said, “But what was most important to me when I talked with Suzanne was her commitment to Christian education and developing players as such as they move through this campus.”

Strudwick replaces Mandy Moore who is leaving the university to follow her husband Sean to Pinehurst where Sean has taken a job as a club pro.

Strudwick was the LPGA’s Rookie of the Year in 1993 and owns 57 top 10 finishes in her career. She has more than 1.5 million dollars in career earnings took home tournament championships at the French Open and the AGF Paris Open.

“My journey in golf has been fairly long,” Strudwick said. “The journey that the Lord has taken me on I believe has directed me to be here today. It was an easy decision, but also a hard one to leave something I have built. I’m thrilled to take over with what coach Moore has done and build to the future.”

Over the last few years, she’s taken on another passion, teaching golf. Most recently, Strudwick was an instructor at Fairways and Greens Golf Center in Knoxville, Tenn.

“Coaching a team is a new experience,” Strudwick said. “But starting a big sister program for the LPGA tour should help. As a veteran LPGA player, you became a big sister to those younger players. Those experiences should help immensely in this environment.”

She is a TPI Level 3 certified Junior instructor and Level 2 Golf Coach. Strudwick is well regarded within the golf industry as reaching the highest level of training and coaching and is regularly asked to consult with other PGA Members, course owners on how to improve & increase junior programs.

In 2011, Strudwick was named the Tennessee PGA Junior Teacher of the Year and was named to U.S. Kids Top 50 Kid Teachers. She replicated the U.S. Kids honor in 2012 in addition to being named the PGA Knoxville Junior Leader of the Year.

Strudwick took home the PGA’s Richard Eller Growth of the Game award in 2008. That distinction recognizes the golf professional who has excelled in leadership, player development, and promotion of the game of golf to all sectors of players.

Strudwick resides in Knoxville.

Awards and accomplishments:

PGA Knoxville Junior Leader of the Year US Kids Top 50 Kids Teacher Tenn. PGA Junior Teacher of the Year LPGA Class A Tour Professional

PGA Class A-3 Professional

TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor

LPGA Rookie of the Year (1993)

FRENCH Open Winner

AGF PARIS Open Winner

57 Top Ten Finishes

Over $1.5 Million Career Earnings

5 Worldwide Wins

2007 9th Callaway Open (TN PGA Event)

2007 36th PGA TN Section Championship (TN PGA Event)

2008 PGA Award Winner ‘Richard Eller Growth of the Game