Jan. 18, 2008

COLUMBIA –
University of South Carolina Athletics Director Eric Hyman today named Kalen Anderson the head women’s golf coach for the Gamecocks. Anderson has been an assistant at Duke since Spring 2006 after an All-American career with the Blue Devils and a four-year stint on the FUTURES Tour.

“We are ecstatic to have someone with Kalen’s credentials become our golf coach,” said Hyman. “She has been part of a championship program as both a player and coach and we believe our women’s golf program will really take off under her direction.”

As an assistant under four-time National Coach of the Year Dan Brooks at Duke, Anderson helped the team to NCAA and ACC championships in 2006 and 2007. Under her tutelage, four Blue Devils earned All-American status in 2006, including three first-team selections, and she coached five All-ACC players last season. A key figure in recruiting, Anderson helped Duke sign the top-ranked player in the 2008 class. In five tournaments this past fall, the Blue Devils won three team titles and have been ranked No. 1 in the country. Anderson was directly responsible for the complete development of the student-athletes, working on complete game development as well as coordinating community service projects and fitness plans.

“It’s really exciting to become a part of the South Carolina Athletics Department,” said Anderson. “With the athletic, academic and financial support in place, the sky is the limit for the women’s golf program. I look forward to taking what I’ve learned as both a player and assistant coach and use this opportunity to build a championship program at South Carolina.”

In addition to Anderson’s work at Duke, she has given private instruction, specializing in the short game, and has been a coach and instructor at the Duke Academy of Golf since 2006. She competed professionally on the FUTURES Golf Tour and in four LPGA Qualifying Schools, LPGA Tour events and the 2000 U.S. Women’s Open.

Playing for the Blue Devils from 1997 to 2001, Anderson was part of the 1999 national championship team and competed in the NCAA Championship all four years. A three-time All-ACC selection, she earned All-America honors in 2000 and was a three-time Academic All-American. Anderson earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a certificate in markets and management in 2001.

Anderson takes over a South Carolina program that is loaded with experience, including four seniors. The first competition of the spring begins on Sunday, Feb. 24, when the Gamecocks travel to the Puerto Rico Invitational.