After seven years at the helm, Missouri Western Women’s Golf Coach Cathy Habermehl has retired.

Habermehl took over the program at a critical time in the early stages of its history prior to the 2006-07 season and built the team into one of the best in the MIAA.  In 51 events over the last five years, the team had ten first place finishes and 17 second place finishes.

“I feel that it is time for me to focus on other priorities in my life. After seven years, I feel I’m leaving the team in a good place, with great kids that can achieve another level with a new coach. I have been proud to be their coach and will always treasure their friendships,” Habermehl said.

Habermehl’s recruiting efforts produced many solid student-athletes in her tenure including the best player in school history as Natalie Bird was a four time All-MIAA selection and was this season named the MWSU/St. Joseph News-Press Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

For her efforts, Habermehl was voted by league coaches as the 2011 MIAA Women’s Golf Coach of the Year.

“We’d like to thank Coach Habermehl for seven great years at the helm of our women’s golf program,” said Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin.  “Her passion and dedication to the game of golf, her student-athletes and our department have been tremendous and the results have shown both on and off the course.”

The program reached new heights this season as for the first time, the team qualified a student-athlete for the NCAA Tournament as Natalie Bird competed as an individual in the Central Region Championship held last May at St. Joseph Country Club.

Coach Habermehl’s team excelled in the classroom and the community as well as her team boasted the highest department team GPA this past spring.  Women’s golf has also produced two of the previous three winners of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s Community Service Award of the Year as Lexi Webb was the 2011 recipient and Casi Webb this past year.

A search for a new coach will begin immediately.

— MWSU Sports Information —