July 23, 2009
SAN DIEGO - Emilee Klein, who won the 1996 Women's British Open and starred on the LPGA Tour for 11 seasons, has been named head women's golf coach at San Diego State, athletic director Jeff Schemmel announced Thursday. Klein comes to SDSU after serving as head coach at the University of Central Florida since 2005.
"We are elated to have Emilee Klein as our new women's golf coach," Schemmel said. "Emilee brings a reputation as a superb teacher, relentless recruiter, and one who puts academic success and graduation as top priorities for her student-athletes. Emilee's success as a player, coach and educator are nationally recognized. We can't wait for her to get started at San Diego State."
Klein played on the LPGA Tour from 1995 to 2005, competing in over 300 events and earning more than $3.1 million in prize money. She won three events during her professional career, including the 1996 Weetabix Women's British Open, the 1996 Ping Welch's Championship and the 2001 Michelob Light Classic. The Sherman Oaks, Calif., native placed in the top 10 on 46 occasions and ended the 1996 campaign with a No. 9 ranking.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to become head coach at San Diego State," Klein said. "San Diego State has the support and the resources to build a national championship program. I'm proud to become a member of the SDSU family and return to my home state of California."
Klein was named the LPGA Rookie of the Year in 1995 by Golf Digest after posting a pair of runner-up finishes at the State Farm Rail Classic and the SAFECO Classic. In 2002, she recorded an impressive 3-1-0 record as a member of the victorious United States squad at the Solheim Cup in Edina, Minn.
After retiring from the LPGA Tour in 2005, Klein took over as head women's golf coach at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla. Under her direction, she led the Knights to back-to-back NCAA regional appearances in 2008 and 2009 and this past season, helped Stephanie Connelly finish 11th at the NCAA championships in Maryland.
Klein guided UCF to its' best-ever finish at the Conference USA championships in 2009, placing second overall. During her tenure, the Knights claimed all-conference honors on 10 occasions and jumped in the national rankings from 114th to as high as 35th.
As a collegian, Klein spent two seasons at Arizona State University under coach Linda Vollstedt from 1992-94. Klein led the Sun Devils to a pair of national team titles and was the NCAA Division I individual champion in 1994. The two-time first-team All-American was named Golfweek Magazine's Collegiate Player of the Year in 1994 and that same year, was tabbed to the U.S. Curtis Cup team.
A 1992 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., Klein became the youngest winner of the California Women's Amateur Championship at the age of 14 in 1988. She also claimed the USGA Junior Girls Championship and was named the AJGA Junior Player of the Year in 1991.
Klein served as a golf analyst for The Golf Channel from 2002-06, and earned her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in legal studies from Central Florida in 2008.
The Emilee Klein File
Birthdate: June 11, 1974
Hometown: Sherman Oaks, Calif.
High School: Notre Dame High School
Alma Mater: Central Florida, 2008
Collegiate Playing Career: Arizona State, 1992-94
Coaching Experience:
2005-09University of Central FloridaHead Coach
Professional Playing Experience:
1995-2005LPGA Tour
Athletic Achievements: