July 10, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio - A veteran of the college coaching ranks and an active PGA member, Kelly Ovington was named head women's golf coach at Ohio University on Thursday in an announcement by Director of Athletics Jim Schaus. Bob Cooley will continue in his role as Director of Golf.

Ovington (pronounced Uhv-ington) arrives in Athens following more than a year as head professional at Golf Galaxy in Columbus, Ohio. In an organization that provides golfers with pro shop services in an interactive environment, Ovington was charged with establishing and maintaining standards relating to lessons, fittings, sales and expenses.

"It's great to be a part of the Ohio golf program," Ovington said. "Coach Cooley has done a great job getting this program headed in the right direction, and I'm excited to come in and help it get to the next level. This is a program that will be able to compete within the region, and I want to help them take that step."

The Cincinnati native also spent more than a year as head professional at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club in Powell, Ohio, where she played an integral role in opening the facility. Kinsale features a state-of-the-art fitness and spa facility, and takes pride in incorporating fitness into a golfer's game. Ovington also has more than 10 years of experience as an assistant professional at various clubs around the state, earning a nomination for Southern Ohio PGA Assistant of the Year in 2002.

"Kelly is a tremendous addition to our coaching staff," Schaus said. "She has Division I coaching experience, possesses a strong teaching background and is familiar with Ohio and recruiting this area. I'm very excited about the direction of our women's golf program under her leadership."

After completing her college career at Michigan State in 1992, Ovington assumed head coaching duties with the University of Cincinnati women's golf team in September of 1993. She guided the Bearcats to the first national and regional rankings in school history, as well as five tournament titles, in five years at the helm of the UC program. During her tenure, Ovington also served as a program coordinator for the LPGA Girls Golf Schools, a program designed to get young girls involved in golf, in the Cincinnati area.

A four-year member of the Michigan State women's golf team (1988-92), Ovington was honored with the team spirit award as a senior. She graduated from MSU in 1992 with a BA in telecommunications.