University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond Hires LaRee Pearl Sugg As First Women's Golf Coach
03/05/2002 | Women's Golf
March 5, 2002
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - University of Richmond Director of Athletics Jim Miller announced today that LaRee Pearl Sugg has been hired as the Spiders' first women's golf head coach. Sugg will begin her duties immediately for the program that begins varsity competition during the 2002-03 season.
"I can't think of a better person to be leading our new women's golf program," Miller said. "LaRee brings great enthusiasm and experience, having competed successfully at the highest level of her sport, as an amateur and as a professional. She will be a valuable addition to both our women's and men's golf programs."
The Petersburg, Va., native has garnered numerous accolades during her prolific playing career. Sugg competed on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour for four years (1995, 1996, 2000, 2001) and the Women's Professional Golfers European Tour (1992-94) for three seasons. During that span, she qualified for the U.S. Women's Open five times (1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) and for the women's British Open four times (1992, 1993, 1994, 2001).
"I am extremely honored to be joining the University of Richmond family and to be a part of the women's golf program inception," Sugg said. "I pledge to help all student-athletes reach their full potential both on and off the playing field. With the support of the administration, faculty, and staff, I intend to not only be a leader but to pass that ideal onto the next generation."
A constant on the leaderboard, Sugg's individual accomplishments include a title at the 1998 Aurora Health Futures Classic and two third-place finishes -- at the 1997 Indonesian Ladies Open and the 1993 Singapore Ladies Open. Her best finish on the LPGA Tour came at the 2000 Wegman's Rochester International where she finished eighth.
Before turning to the professional ranks, Sugg enjoyed a stellar junior and collegiate career. A four-time member of Golf Magazine's Junior All-America Team, Sugg won more than 30 junior titles and qualified for the United Virginia Bank Golf Classic at the age of 16. The Matoaca High School product then pursued her college career at UCLA where she graduated with an English Literature degree in 1991.
Sugg dominated the links during her senior season at UCLA, earning NCAA Coaches Association All-America and All Pac-10 Conference and Championship team honors. She led her team to the 1991 NCAA Women's Championship by sinking the winning putt in a sudden death playoff. Also in 1991, Sugg was the third medallist at the U.S. Women's Amateur Golf Championship and the U.S. Women's Public Links Golf Championship.
In addition to her skills on the course, Sugg is dedicated to fostering her love of golf throughout the United States. She is the director and founder of the Golfing for Angels Charity Classic and a national spokesperson for Epochs of Courage and Champion for Kids of America, Inc.
Under the direction of Sugg and Director of Golf Operations, Kevin Lynch, the women's golf program will begin competition with a full schedule during the 2002-03 season.