Aug. 14, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Brittany Winterton, who was an All-Southern Conference golfer for Appalachian State and most recently a tournament director for the American Junior Golf Association, has joined the South Carolina women’s golf staff as an assistant coach, Head Coach Kristi Coggins announced Wednesday.

Winterton replaces Clarissa Childs, who resigned earlier this summer to play professionally on the LPGA Tour. Childs will remain as a volunteer assistant coach at USC.

“Brittany brings a great dynamic to our team,” said Coggins. “Her experience with the AJGA gives her good knowledge of the recruiting base throughout the country. She has a sincere desire to be a head coach and I think she sees a great opportunity here at the University. Brittany brings a great personality and work ethic to our team and we look forward to her being a big part of our staff.”

Winterton joined the AJGA as an intern in the summer of 2000 and over the last two years has supervised the operation for more than 12 national junior golf tournaments. She became a full-time staff member of the AJGA three months after arriving there.

“I’ve been wanting to get into coaching and wanted the right program, and learn from a coach with experience,” said Winterton. “I’m really excited about being a part of this team, working with Coach Coggins and being a Gamecock. I know the ladies had great summers coming off the SEC Championship and I know the two newcomers (Erica Battle, Megan Miller) from my time with the AJGA. We have a great team returning and it looks like I’ll have a pretty good transition into coaching.”

Winterton earned her B.S.B.A. degree in marketing with a minor in international business from Appalachian State University in 1999. She lettered four years on the women’s golf team there and earned All-Southern Conference honors as a sophomore in 1997 and was captain of the Mountaineers her senior season. While at Appalachian State, Winterton studied abroad in both England and Denmark.

After her college career, Winterton worked at the Mauna Lani Golf Resort in Kaihlua, Hawaii for one year. The Mauna Lani resort was home to the Senior Skins for nine years.

Born in Birmingham, Ala., Winterton grew up in Peachtree City, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta. She attended McIntosh High School and played golf for three years for Coach Steve Hale on the boys team. Winterton finished second in the state AAAA championships her senior year.