SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Krystal Kelly, assistant women's golf coach at Santa Clara University since July of 2009, has been promoted to head coach. The official announcement was made Tuesday by SCU Director of Athletics and Recreation Dan Coonan.  
 
A former All-America player at UCLA and NCAA Champion, Kelly is a PGA Class "A" member. She has been the PGA assistant golf professional at San Jose's Silver Creek Country Club since April of 2008. After being named assistant coach at Santa Clara in 2009, Kelly redesigned the team's practice program, focusing on individual instruction.
 
"Krystal already has the respect and admiration of this team, which was apparent to all during the interview process," said Coonan. "She knows Santa Clara well and will certainly draw on her remarkable experience on a national championship team.  We look forward to seeing all that she will bring to this position."
 
Kelly takes over an SCU team that has been a perennial top-tier finisher in the West Coast Conference (WCC) spanning the last 10 years under former head coach Polly Schulze, who retired in December.
 
As an assistant coach last season Kelly helped the Broncos place third at the 2010 WCC's, the sixth time in seven seasons SCU has placed third or higher at the conference championships. SCU also established a new single-round scoring record in 2010, posting a 292, the lowest in program history.
 
"I would like to thank Dan Coonan and the administrators here at Santa Clara for this opportunity," said Kelly. "Polly (Schulze) did such a great job not only on the course but working in the community. I feel the program is in a good place and I'm looking forward to helping it continue to grow."
 
Prior to coming to Santa Clara, Kelly was playing professionally from 2006 through 2008. She was named the California Player's Tour 'Player of the Year' in 2007, leading the tour's money list.  
 
"I am so excited to become part of the Bronco family," said Kelly. "Moving forward, my focus here is to continue our improvement in the WCC, recruit talented student-athletes, and giving back to the game of golf."
 
FOR TRANSACTIONS:
SANTA CLARA – Named Krystal Kelly women's golf coach.