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Therese Hession |
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Head coach Therese Hession concluded her 21st season heading the Ohio State women's golf program at the end of the 2011-12 season and has continued the strong Buckeye golf tradition, building it to even greater heights. Over her tenure, Hession has led the Buckeyes to seven Big Ten championships, including four of the last 10, and 13 NCAA championship appearances. Her squads have also competed in 19 NCAA regionals the past 20 years, including the last 18 in a row. For her efforts and impressive results, Hession has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year six times (1993, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2005).
Hession has guided many of her student-athletes to prestigious individual awards on the course and in the classroom. During her reign, Buckeye golfers have been honored with 10 All-America selections, 50 All-Big Ten selections, five Big Ten Player of the Year and six Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. A strong proponent of education, Hession's players have earned numerous academic awards as well. She has coached 29 NGCA Scholar All-Americans, 91 Academic All-Big Ten selections and 132 OSU Scholar-Athletes.
During the 2011-12 season, the Buckeyes finished in the Top 3 in eight of 13 tournaments played, including a pair of first-place finishes. Hession led the squad to its 14th Lady Buckeye Invitational win and guided junior Rachel Rohanna to her first tournament victory, capturing the Lady Buckeye with 4-under 212. Rohanna's 54-hole score was a tournament low when playing on Scarlet.
After a third-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, Ohio State qualified for its 18-consecutive NCAA Regional and hosted the NCAA Central Regional on the Scarlet Course. Rohanna led the squad to a sixth-place finish and a berth in the NCAA Championships after carding a 220 for seventh place. Her finish earned All-Region honors. At the national tournament, the Buckeyes finished 22nd.
Four on Hession's 2011-12 roster earned All-Big Ten honors in Rohanna (First), Amy Meier (First), Susana Benavides (Second) and Kendall Prince (Second). Prince was awarded Big Ten Freshman of the Year for her efforts throughout the season.
The Buckeyes enjoyed perhaps their best season in school history in 2002-03. Hession guided the team to fourth place at the NCAA championships, the highest finish in the program's history. In addition, Ohio State captured its eighth overall and second-consecutive Big Ten championship. Three Buckeyes were honored with First Team All-Big Ten selections and Hession was named the conference's coach of the year. The season also marked the first time in school history Ohio State could boast two All-Americans in one season in Lindsay Knowlton and Kristen White.
Hession, a former LPGA Tour professional, became the seventh head coach in the program's history in 1991. In her inaugural season, she led the Buckeyes to a fourth-place finish in the Big Ten championships--three places better than the previous year. In just her second season, Hession struck gold, winning five regular season tournaments and claiming the 1993 conference title, Ohio State's first championship since 1988. The Buckeyes would go on to place fifth at the NCAA East Regional, advancing them to their first NCAA Championship appearance in five years.
A full-time professional golfer for 11 years, Hession competed in more than 250 LPGA tournaments during her illustrious career. She was among the Top 150 in all-time LPGA career money-winners when she concluded her career in 1991. Hession also willingly gave her time to charity during her playing career, participating in more than 150 pro-celebrity charitable events.
As a collegiate player for Southern Methodist University, Hession led the Mustangs to a national championship in 1979 while earning All-America laurels. She graduated with honors, acquiring a bachelor's degree in business administration. In January of 1980, after just three months on the Women's Professional Golf Tour, she earned her LPGA tour card.
An Indianapolis native, Hession is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Ministry advisory staff. An avid participant in charity programs, she was the recipient of the 1989 LPGA Tour Samaritan Award.
QUICK FACTS
• Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
• High School: Ladywood St. Agnes
• Alma Mater: Southern Methodist `79
Playing Career: LPGA Tour 1980-91 ... Southern Methodist University 1976-79 ... captain of the 1979 AIAW National Championship Team ... First Team All-America in 1979 ... Indiana state amateur champion in 1977 ... Ladywood St. Agnes High School 1971-75 ... Indiana state high school champion in 1973 ... Indiana state junior champion in 1973 ... team high school champions in 1974.
Coaching Career: The Ohio State University, 1991-present ... National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Hall of Fame inductee in 2004 ... received NGCA Founders Award in 2005 ... received the 2010 NGCA Gladys Palmer Meritorious Service Award ... 1997 NGCA Coach of the Year ... NGCA Region Coach of the Year in 1996, `97 and `98.
Highlights: Competed in seven U.S. Women's Opens ... career best finishes of fourth place at the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic and the Mastercard LPGA Pro-Am ... ranked in the Top 130 money list of all-time money winners in women's golf upon retirement in 1991.
Other: Former President of the National Golf Coaches Association ... Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Advisory Board.
