Advertise on podcast: College Golf Today: Inspiring Tomorrow's Coaches and Players

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Heather Fortushniak, the Head Women's Golf Coach at Oakland University. Heather shares how she went from a player at Kansas State to coaching at the Division I level overnight. Aspiring coaches can glean fantastic advice from her story and tips she learned along the way. Heather has led Oakland to back-to-back conference championships, and she offers us insights into her winning formula. From caring about her players as people to mental game nights to curating the right culture that peaks at the right time competitively, Heather's track record and personal definition of success prove she's a bright star to watch as she begins her legacy in coaching college golf.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Rob Ferguson, the head women's golf coach at Marymount University. Rob began the Division 3 women's golf program 12 years ago and shares what he has learned about recruiting, practice and winning. His background as a PGA Professional also brings him a different perspective on how to best develop his players. Rob gives new and aspiring college coaches tips on how to add to their coaching compensation through their universities and reasons to look at the transfer portal.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Jay Goble, the head women's golf coach at Baylor University. Jay is credited with leading Baylor to 10 of its 11 NCAA Championship appearances and its first No. 1 ranking. He takes us behind the scenes of his coaching strategies, which include defining success with his players, course management, schedule expansion and an emphasis on qualifying. Jay also dives into the pros of the transfer portal and potential cons of the roster limits before sharing his advice for new and aspiring college golf coaches.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with MaryJo "MJ" McCloskey, the head women's golf coach at George Fox University. MJ kicks us off by reflecting on her recent induction into the WGCA's Hall of Fame, surrounded by some of her team members. She started the women's golf program at George Fox from scratch 20 years ago, and they have stood on the NCAA podium 9 times - once as National Champions! Beyond sharing her love of being a Division 3 golf coach, MJ takes us through her book, "When Girls Win," which ties her coaching experiences and positive personality to mental game tactics that any golfer can use.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Mikayla Ash, the assistant coach and director of operations of the women's golf team at Texas. Mikayla shares her coaching journey thus far. She emphasizes building trust with student-athletes by showing that you care, listening and getting to know them beyond their scores.  Mikayla outlines her assistant coach and operations responsibilities, including practice planning, player support, travel, budgeting and recruiting. She highlights the important role of social media in recruiting nowadays. Lastly, Mikayla shares her advice for new and aspiring college golf coaches.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Roger Yaffe, the recently retired Executive Director of the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA). In the role for 26 years, Roger is credited for elevating women's college golf to where it is today. From quintupling the number of coaches in the organization to gaining more visibility through deals with partners like Golf Channel, women's golf has grown leaps and bounds during his tenure. Roger also shares his journey into the golf industry, which began in a unique way in high school. He praises his past boards and presidents for the organization’s progress, expresses gratitude to coaches and staff, shares his excitement for Courtney Trimble's start as CEO of the WGCA and voices hope for clarity amid ongoing uncertainty in college athletics.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Kelley Hester, the head coach of Clemson's women's golf team. Kelley has been the president of the WGCA twice, with her most recent term just ending this year. She shares her experience coaching at a variety of programs, the importance of a supportive partner, why coaches need to network and her take on how NIL and roster caps are changing college golf. Kelley has seen so much in college golf, and her insights are valuable to all looking to join this community as a coach or student-athlete.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Tiffany Joh, an 11-year LPGA Tour veteran, former college coach and now the assistant coach of the U.S. National Development Program at the USGA. Tiff shares her journey from playing at UCLA and on the LPGA Tour to becoming an assistant college golf coach at Cal State San Marcos, then the University of Southern California. She also dives into the importance of relationships and data when it comes to building trust with her athletes and then effectively helping them improve. She provides some fantastic coaching advice that was passed down to her when she started that all aspiring coaches will enjoy. Tiff joined the U.S. National Development Program to help pave the way for junior golfers to make the most of their talent and work ethic and support them from their beginning days to hopefully the days they turn professional and beyond.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Kevin Williams, the Director of Golf and Head Coach of the Women's and Men's teams at East Carolina University. Kevin shares how he started the women's program from scratch, what he looks for in his recruits, why specializing in a sport too early could be a risk and his take on the future of women's college golf.  With so much wisdom in just this episode, it's no surprise Kevin was named the 2025 Kim Evans Award recipient and the incoming president of the WGCA.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Jonathan Howard, the recently appointed head women's golf coach at William & Mary. Jonathan shares his journey into coaching, his learnings as a new Division 1 coach coming from the Division 3 level, his thoughts about hosting a larger golf tournament and how academics play an interesting role in the transfer portal for schools like William & Mary. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships as a college golf coach and staying true to yourself. He also dives into what it's like to rebuild a team culture as the "new kid."

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Lauren Guiao, assistant women’s golf coach at Purdue University and alumna of the golf program herself. Lauren shares how she switched from an accounting path to coaching, knowing it was the right move after her first tournament on the other side of the ropes. She also explains how she navigated coaching former teammates by balancing personal relationships with constructive critique, a transition many up-and-coming coaches may face.  Lauren then dives into why the assistant golf coach role is her favorite place to be, relaying her responsibilities with recruiting, tournament qualifying and, most importantly, her players' success on and off the golf course. She finishes with yet another definition of success that aspiring and current golf coaches should add to their philosophies.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Kelsie Warren, head women’s golf coach at Methodist University, two-time Coach of the Year and recipient of the Kim Evans Award. Kelsie shares her path from Methodist’s Professional Golf Management (PGM) program and internships into coaching at the Division III level and explains how her playing experience and PGM training help her relate to her student-athletes and support them as both people and players. In addition to sharing tips on how to manage such a large roster, especially when it comes to qualifying and playing time, Kelsie outlines her recruiting approach and her definition of success for her student-athletes, which goes beyond tournament performance. She also adds some interesting thoughts on how the transfer portal and roster limits may shift more players to Division III schools.

In this episode of College Golf Today, host Kelly Okun speaks with Dan Brooks, Duke University's women's head golf coach for the last 43 years.  Together, they explore Coach Brooks' journey into coaching, from his early career in the regular golf business to leading Duke to numerous championships. Coach Brooks shares insights on effective coaching, college recruitment strategies, the impact of NIL and transfer portals in golf, and his philosophy on handling student-athletes' mental and physical challenges.  Coach Brooks ends the discussion advising new and aspiring coaches on what to look for in institutions when applying for assistant and head coach roles.