Columnist Victoria Sun: New UNLV women’s golf coach plans to hit the ground running

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2001 | 10:33 a.m.

Victoria Sun's golf column appears Wednesday. Reach her at 259-4078 or victoria@lasvegassun.com

In the upcoming weeks, Kelley Hester will log more airline miles than time in her own bed.

But the 27-year-old Georgia native doesn't mind one bit.

Hester, the newly hired UNLV women's golf coach, has a lengthy "to do" list and sleep isn't on it.

Recruiting, scheduling, finding a new home and helping her husband, Trey, find a new job are bunched together at the top.

"I'll feel better when I get some warm bodies and a schedule," the enthusiastic coach mused over the phone Tuesday night.

There would be plenty of time to rest if Hester were content to field a mediocre team to set the foundation for the newly minted program.

Mediocrity is exactly what she doesn't want.

So after Feb. 1 (the date when coaches can begin recruiting per NCAA rules), Hester will be on the road trying to sign high-caliber junior golfers who did not commit during the early signing period in November.

Later this month, Hester will be at the National Golf Coaches Association convention putting together a playing schedule.

"As a young coach, I don't think I could have a better opportunity," Hester said. "To start a brand new program where golf has been successful as evidenced by the men's program is very exciting.

"In just a few short years UNLV women's golf could be a national powerhouse. I really believe the ingredients are there: great climate, some of the best golf courses in the country, a great community."

Hester paused before adding optimistically, "and hopefully a capable coach. There's no reason in the world to me why in three to five years we should not be a top program."

Hester's enthusiasm was one of the reasons she was hired.

UNLV associate athletic director/senior women's administrator Lisa Kelleher said Hester was one of 30 applicants for the job. UNLV interviewed three candidates before choosing Hester.

"I think as a great player, she has played at many different places so she is comfortable with recruiting in addition to Nevada, also across the United States," Kelleher said. "She's very confident, carries herself very well.

"I think the community is going to embrace her because she has an energetic, vivacious personality."

Hester was an assistant coach at Georgia, her alma mater, since February of 1999. Before that, she was the head women's golf coach at Mercer University.

At Georgia, Hester was a three-time all-Southeastern Conference and two-time Academic All-America selection for the Lady Bulldogs' golf team.

After graduating from Georgia she played on the Futures Tour in 1996 and 1997 before coaching at Mercer.

"I'm not afraid of admitting the fact that I'm young, but I do think that this is a great challenge and I feel like I'm up for it," Hester said.

"In my opinion, there's a lot of room for success in women's golf.

"It's booming. There are so many more girls playing women's golf now than when I was playing. Some coaches typically aren't willing to do the legwork to get the good recruits. I honestly feel like a good recruiter will be successful and I am willing to do the work."