University of Houston Athletics
Houston Welcomes Coach Lydia Gumm
6/14/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
HOUSTON – Former Florida State standout Lydia Gumm will join the University of Houston Women's Golf Program as an assistant coach beginning with the 2018-19 season, Head Coach Gerrod Chadwell announced Thursday.
Gumm comes to Houston after serving as a volunteer assistant coach at Louisville during the 2018 spring semester. During that time, she helped lead Louisville to the Final Round of stroke play at the NCAA Championships where the Cardinals finished 15th.
"My first encounter with Lydia came when she played at Florida State. She was a gritty player and a huge competitor. I love how she treated her teammates and other coaches," Chadwell said. "When(Louisville Head Coach) Courtney (Trimble) was on maternity leave, Lydia stepped up as a volunteer assistant coach. Courtney told me Lydia made her a better coach, and that's one of the best compliments you can receive."
Before entering the coaching ranks, Gumm was an award-winning star at Florida State from 2013 to 2017. She was a two-time All-ACC honoree and competed in the finals of two NCAA Championships during her collegiate career.
By the time her FSU playing days were finished, Gumm had posted 12 Top-10 finishes and a 73.89 stroke average, which ranked fifth in school history. She finished her career ranked No. 57 in the World Amateur Golf rankings.
Gumm also enjoyed a stellar playing career as an amateur. She captured the 2014 Kentucky Amateur Championship and secured the 2016 Kentucky Open Championship title in a one-hole playoff.
Prior to her collegiate career, Gumm was a seven-time All-State selection and earned the Miss Kentucky Golf Award for a state-record five times, including becoming the youngest honoree at 12 years old in 2006. In 2012, she was named the Kentucky Golf Coaches Association Player of the Year.
Gumm currently holds the state's high school record for most rounds counted in the 60s and earned attention for qualifying for the state tournament as a third-grader.
A three-time All-ACC Academic Team selection, Gumm graduated from Florida State with a bachelor's degree in sport management in May 2017.
With her hiring, Gumm became the third assistant coach in program history. She replaced Lucy Nunn, who left to become head coach at Southern Miss in April.
ABOUT HOUSTON WOMEN'S GOLF
In only a short time, the University of Houston Women's Golf program has made its mark on the national level.
The 2017-18 Cougars captured the American Athletic Conference Championships title for the second time in the last three seasons and were ranked among the nation's Top-25 for most of the year.
Chadwell was named the league's Coach of the Year for the second time in his career, while junior Leonie Harm was honored as the Player of the Year and competed at the NCAA Championships for the second time.
Although the program was started in 2013-14 with four student-athletes playing as individuals, the Cougars have competed in the NCAA postseason in each of the last four years, or every season in which it was eligible as a team.
JOIN THE P.A.R. 4 CLUB
Fans are invited to join The P.A.R. 4 Club to support Houston Women's Golf. P.A.R. 4 Club members provide financial support directly to Houston Women's Golf for needs beyond the program's operating budget.
Fans who join the P.A.R. 4 Club can begin receiving benefits for as little as $100 annually.
To join the P.A.R. 4 Club, fans can call 713-743-9417 or email gchadwel@central.uh.edu. For more information about the P.A.R. 4 Club, levels of giving and benefits, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWGolf on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWGolf. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarwgolf.
Players Mentioned
