Women's golf coach optimistic for new season

Women's golf tees off its 2010 season this Sunday at the Cougar Classic in Charleston, South Carolina. Leading the team will be Jill Hinton, who came to Richmond last year from the University of Florida.

When asked what her goals for the team were this year, Coach Hinton said that the team would be focusing on "having the best possible short games in the conference, which will lead to lower scores and better finishes."

The eleven-member team will be competing up and down the Eastern Seaboard in ten tournaments, with stops in Pennsylvania, Maryland, North and South Carolina, as well as hosting the Spider Invitational down the road in Midlothian early this November.

Against those other teams, though, the women golfers have an advantage. Hinton recently returned to playing professional golf, after competing in the LPGA for twelve years.

"For those who want to play professionally, I know how difficult it is," she said. "I know the drive and passion that is needed."

Like any team, women's golf has its obstacles. "We're not fully funded," Hinton said, but she looks at it as an opportunity instead of an impediment. "This team has the opportunity to be a part of something special and help our program become fully funded by the way they act and carry themselves." She said President Ayers had been very supportive.

Regardless of the school not having the experience of the top teams, Hinton has complete confidence in her squad. "We have dedicated student-athletes who want to achieve at the highest level and will give UR everything they have."

LaRee Sugg, assistant director of athletics, said of Hinton: "We feel very lucky to have been able to attract a coach with Hinton's credentials. During the first year with us, she demonstrated that she is not only committed to the success both on and off the course, but is dedicated to ensuring that her student-athletes have a positive experience here at the university."

Contact Collegian reporter Milos Jovanovic at: milos.jovanovic@richmond.edu