| Holly Tothe led UTSA's women's golf program since its inception in 2005. |
SAN ANTONIO ? Holly Tothe has resigned as head coach of the UTSA women’s golf program, the athletics department announced on Friday.
Tothe, a San Antonio native, was hired in 2005 to start the women’s golf program. In its inaugural season, she guided UTSA to a third-place finish in its debut tournament, the Lady Cardinal Invitational, on Sept. 19-20, 2005, in Beaumont. Behind a runner-up finish from Laura Baker, the Roadrunners placed sixth at the Southland Conference Championship in April 2006, capping a successful inaugural campaign.
In her second season, Tothe, a former standout player at Texas, led the Roadrunners to three top-five finishes (Wolf Pack Invitational, Ellingson Fall Classic, Baja Invitational). Baker again posted a top-10 finish at the conference tournament, finishing ninth.
This past year, the Roadrunners had arguably their most successful campaign with seven top-10 finishes, including four in the top five. Tothe guided the squad to its best finish in its three-year history with a runner-up effort at the UAB Beach Blast on Nov. 5. The Roadrunners also finished a program-best fourth at the SLC Championships in April and Baker registered her third consecutive top-10 league finish with her sixth-place performance.
“I am very proud to have had the opportunity to build a foundationfor UTSA women's golf.” Tothe said. “The time has come for me to moveon as my husband, Michael, has accepted the position for director ofSales for the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in Fort Worth. Thepast three-and-a-half years have meant a great deal to me and I amexcited to pass the baton. The program is in great shape with twotalented incoming freshmen and seven returning players.”
Under her tutelage, Baker has been a two-time all-conference performer as a second-teamer in 2006 and honorable mention in '08. Meanwhile, sophomore Shelly Martinez garnered the program’s first SLC Player of the Month for November and she also received honorable mention all-league honors this season.
“We are certainly disappointed to see Holly go,” Associate Athletics Director Elizabeth Dalton said. “She and her husband have dedicated their lives to the game of golf and Michael has an exciting opportunity that they have elected to accept in another city. Holly did an outstanding job of starting our women's golf program and her signature will be on the program forever. She has left our program in great shape and we are very excited about the future.”
A national search for a replacement is underway.