Women's Golf
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- buchmann@unc.edu
- Phone:
- 919-843-4063
Leah Buchmann, formerly Leah Wigger, is in her fifth year under Coach Mann at Carolina. Buchmann teams up with head coach Jan Mann in running the day-to-day operations of the women’s golf program in addition to her on-course duties as coach and instructor.
“Leah continues to be a tremendous asset to the UNC women’s golf program,” says Tar Heel head coach Jan Mann. “Her experience and success as a collegiate and professional golfer is invaluable for our team’s success. She has a great relationship with member of the team and enjoys helping them reach their full potential while at Carolina.”
Since joining the Tar Heels in 2012, Buchmann has helped lead Carolina to three team championships and one individual title, as well as an NCAA Championships appearance in 2016. The three team wins came in 2012-13 as the Tar Heels were victorious at the Liz Murphey Fall Preview, the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational and the UCF Challenge while Elizabeth Mallett won the individual title at the SMU/Dallas Athletic Club Invitational in the spring of 2014. During Buchmann’s tenure, three Tar Heels have been selected to the All-ACC team while two Tar Heels have been chosen to the All-ACC Academic Women’s Golf Team on four occasions. In addition, two Tar Heels have been named NGCA All-America Scholars.
“I absolutely love everything about Carolina and this team,” says Buchmann. “I get to work with one of my best friends and a team that is passionate about life and golf. It is inspiring to see the team give it their very best on and off the course each day. In the end, that is all we ask for as a coach from our student athletes – to give their very best and to see the day as an opportunity to learn and grow regardless of our circumstances. That is what I, and we as a team, try to do every day here at Carolina, where success is just a byproduct of our effort.”
Buchmann (then Wigger) played collegiate golf at the University of Virginia, from fall 2003 to spring 2007. Upon graduation, she played professional golf for five years, 2007-2012. In addition, she served as a volunteer coach on the Tar Heel staff in the spring of 2011.
While at Virginia, Buchmann carded 24 top-10 finishes including one win, the 2007 Liz Murphey Classic, and she was runner-up at the 2005 NCAA Championships. She was a four-time All-ACC performer (2004-07), two-time National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-America (2006-07) and two-time Golfweek All-America (2006-07). She led Virginia in scoring all four years (2004-07) and was chosen the Cavalier Golfer of the Year four times (2004-07).
Buchmann excelled academically as well. She was named to the All-ACC Academic Women’s Golf Team four times (2004-07) and was a four-time NGCA All-America Scholar (2004-07).
Buchmann (then Wigger) competed on the LPGA Futures Tour in 2007-08, 2011 and 2012 while playing on the LPGA Tour in 2009 and 2010. She has two wins to her credit, the 2008 American Systems Invitational in Daytona Beach, Fla., and the 2012 Symetra Tour Island Resort Championship in Harris, Mich. She also participated in the U.S. Women’s Open in 2007 and 2008.
Leah and Drew Buchmann were married in the summer of 2014. Their daughter Evelyn was born November 29th, 2015.
