Columnist Victoria Sun: UNLV women’s golf coach plans quick rise to prominence for team

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, March 14, 2001 | 9:40 a.m.

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

Her philosophy is refreshing and gutsy to say the least.

And it may turn out to be the reason the UNLV women's golf program turns out to be as successful as the men's program.

"I really think we can surprise some people," new women's golf head coach Kelly Hester said Tuesday night at the Bali Hai Golf Club. "I think we're expected to be good.

"I think we can be good faster than people are expecting. I don't believe that there are any rules that say you have to be around a certain length of time before you can do well."

Amen.

Hester was formally introduced to some of the community members who had yearned to see UNLV women's golf added to its athletics program during a FORE UNLV Women's Golf reception and fund-raiser that followed a nine-hole scramble.

Over the last week, Hester brought in five nationally ranked recruits in hopes of persuading them, that if they join her at UNLV, the potential to build a winning program is limitless.

Though she is not allowed per NCAA rules to talk specifically about any of her recruits, she has received two verbal commitments and is close to getting a third.

The signing period starts April 11. Hester was pleasantly surprised to see there were still a lot of good players left who had not signed during the early period in November.

"I feel really good because these three kids would be my first choice if I could get them," Hester said. "The visits went well.

"There was a handful of good players left and I've been fortunate enough to develop a good relationship with three or four of those kids.

"I've been very lucky. Golf already means tradition and excellence here because of what the men have accomplished. I've got calls on my answering machine and e-mails about kids interested in coming here.

"My goal is to get as many of the high-level players I can with a couple of the best mid-level players."

By May, Hester said she should have the team's schedule solidified.

She hopes to be invited to participate in tournaments in Hawaii and at Stanford, and has already been asked to a spring tournament in Texas.

"We should have a good mix of mid-level events and elite events, which is good," Hester said.

Starting July 1, she has been given the OK to hire an assistant, and before then, she will announce which course the Rebels will call home. Hester has toured most courses in the area and has had talks with Reflection Bay, Anthem Country Club, Rio Secco Golf Club and TPC at Summerlin and the Canyons.

"Things are really falling together," she said. "You never know for sure until the kids sign and you never know for sure about your schedule until you have it in writing, but I'm extremely optimistic."