New coach LaBauve brings strong pedigree to USCB women's golf team

With two parents who are golf instructors, Lindy LaBauve figured her collegiate golf career at Louisiana State University would eventually lead to some sort of career in the golf industry.

She just didn't expect her first head coaching job to come so soon.

Just three months after graduating from LSU, LaBauve was announced Monday as USC Beaufort's new women's golf coach, replacing Emily Kuhfeld, who took a job as an assistant coach at Texas Tech after one season leading the Sand Sharks.

"I knew I wanted to get in the golf business in some facet," LaBauve said. "I didn't know if coaching was exactly the avenue that I wanted to go into it, but I saw the opportunity and applied, and here I am."

While introducing LaBauve to her new team, USCB director of golf Shane LeBaron harped on her pedigree -- her parents, Sandy and Mike LaBauve -- operate the LaBauve Golf Academy in Arizona and are listed among Golf Digest's top 100 instructors in America.

"We had a bunch of great candidates, and we all believe this is our all-star," LeBaron said. "We have a bunch of all-star players here, and now we have our all-star to lead them."

LaBauve becomes the third head coach for the women's team in three years. Chris Cuneo moved over to take over the men's program last year, and Kuhfeld lasted just one season, leading the Sand Sharks to a second consecutive appearance in the NAIA National Championship.

Junior Phyllis Langley said the turnover isn't a concern for the players, especially after meeting their new coach and learning about her background.

"She seems like she's perfect for the job," Langley said. "Emily was young, as well, and we had a really great year with her. She has big shoes to fill, but we're excited about having her, and we think she can do it."

LaBauve wrapped up her career at LSU this spring. She played in 16 events and posted a scoring average of 76.6 in 47 rounds.

She hopes her recent experience playing collegiate golf will be beneficial to her team.

"I'm really not that far from where they are right now," LaBauve said. "I just went through what they are going through, so maybe I'll have a little different insight than an older adult who says, 'Oh, I've been there.' No, I was there two months ago. Maybe that will help some. I hope so."

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THE LINDY LABAUVE FILE

Age: 22

College: Louisiana State

Accolades: 2008 Freshman SEC Academic Honor Roll; 2008 National Golf Coaches Association Academic Scholar; 2009 SEC Academic Honor Roll

Notable: Played in 16 events at LSU, averaging 76.6 strokes over 47 competitive rounds. ... Parents, Sandy and Mike, operate the LaBauve Golf Academy in Arizona and are listed among Golf Digest's top 100 instructors in America.

This story was originally published August 23, 2011 at 12:29 AM with the headline "New coach LaBauve brings strong pedigree to USCB women's golf team."