Women's Golf
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
Patricia Martinson enters her sixth year as an assistant coach for the Tar Heels. Martinson teams up with head coach Sally Austin in running the day-to-day operations of the women's golf program in addition to her on-course duties as coach and instructor. Martinson, two-time Big South Player of the Year, joined the Tar Heels after playing on the Futures Golf Tour in 2002 and 2003.
"Patricia has been with us since March of 2004," says head coach Sally Austin. "She is a terrific player, teacher and communicator. Patricia is a tremendous asset to our program. We make a great team."
In her spare time, Martinson hits the links and is continuing her education. She is an LPGA member and is working toward Class A membership. She most recently competed at the 2006 Golf for Women Magazine LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Championship where she tied for ninth place, carding 75-71-75 at Pinehurst #8. In 2004, Martinson missed qualifying for the 59th U.S. Women's Open by one stroke. She played on the Futures Golf Tour in 2002 and 2003. Martinson played in 18 events in 16 states in 2002 while carding three top-20 finishes and gaining exemption status in 2003.
A native of Marion, Iowa, Martinson played collegiate golf at Charleston Southern in Charleston, S.C. (1997-2001). She won four tournament titles during her four-year career as a Buccaneer, was the Big South Champion and Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000 and was named the 2001 Charleston Southern Female Athlete of the Year. Named the most valuable player all four years at Charleston Southern, Martinson carded all top-10 finishes during her senior year. In addition, she was champion of the 2000 Iowa State Amateur.
Martinson excelled academically at Charleston Southern as she was three-time Big South Scholar Athlete of the Year for Golf (1999, 2000 and 2001). She graduated from Charleston Southern in 2001 with a bachelor of science degree in biology and a minor in business administration. She also served as a work study assistant in the Charleston Southern sports information office.
"Being a part of the Carolina women's golf program is a privilege and a dream come true," said Martinson. "The abilities and talents of the girls I coach are unparalleled. I'm proud to be making a difference and building on our successful program one girl, one stroke, and one tournament at a time."
