LEXINGTON, Ky.?After six seasons at the helm of the University of Kentucky women?s golf program Stephanie Barker announced her resignation Friday.
?At this point in my life, I feel that it is in the best interest of my family, the players, and the program to resign as head golf coach,? said Barker. ?I have found it especially rewarding to work with these players and colleagues, and have absolutely cherished my time here at Kentucky.?
Barker became just the second head coach in school history when she took over for Bettie Lou Evans in 2001.
During the past six years, Barker?s determination to bring the program to new heights has been evident by the strides the athletes have taken in the classroom, on the course and in the community.
Beth Felts was named Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, just yesterday, the first such honor in program history. Twenty student athletes have been recognized by the SEC on their annual All-Academic Team, and two athletes were named Academic All-America under her guidance.
Barker spearheaded the Cats? involvement in ?Building with Birdies,? a fundraising program that aided victims of Hurricane Katrina in the fall of 2005. Her squads always placed an emphasis in helping the surrounding community. In 2005, Stacy Springer was named to the SEC Community Service Team, while Katie Johnson has been the team?s representative the past two seasons.
?We certainly appreciate the efforts Stephanie made for our women?s golf program,? said Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. ?The team has consistently represented the University of Kentucky with the utmost class in the classroom, the community and on the golf course. We wish Stephanie and her family all the best.?
UK?s team won three tournaments under her tutelage, the last coming in the 2006 Lady Seahawk Invitational when the team rallied from 11 strokes back to take the tournament crown. Individually three players have captured tournament titles. The Cats finished 11th in each of the past two seasons at the SEC Championships.
?Mitch (Barnhart) is running a first-class operation,? said Barker. ?I respect his, as well as Dr. Todd?s desire that every program at UK reach top-20 status. Under my helm, we have not accomplished that goal. Though we have had some great success stories along the way, I am hopeful that our new coach will help lead the team next year to even higher accomplishments.?
Before joining the Kentucky coaching staff, Barker was named the 2001 Big Sky Women?s Coach of the Year after leading Cal State Northridge to a second-place finish in the conference, the school?s best finish since the program was re-established in 1996.
After graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1994 with a bachelor?s degree in education, she pursued a professional golf career on the LPGA Tour, the Australian Tour, the Futures Tour and the European LPGA Tour. She posted two top-20 finishes on the European tour, two top-25 finishes on the Australian Tour as well as two top-40 finishes on the LPGA Tour. In 1995, Barker was a qualifier for both the U.S. Open and the British Open. Barker has been a part of the LPGA teaching division from 1996?2006, and most recently she completed her masters degree in kinesiology and health promotion from UK.
Three letterwinners from last season?s squad return for next season, including Elizabeth Dotson, Felts and freshman Erica Still, who appeared in 11 tournaments for the Wildcats this season. Three signees ? Emma Eksell from Gotheburg, Sweden; Paige Lausier from Ocala, Fla., and Louise Ljungstedt from Lidingo, Sweden ? make up the 2007-08 incoming class.
