Lehigh University Athletics
Mary Kate Lynch named head coach for women's golf
8/1/2017 11:04:00 AM | Women's Golf
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh Athletics has announced the appointment of Mary Kate Lynch as head coach of the Mountain Hawks' women's golf program. Lynch served as an assistant coach for the Mountain Hawks in the 2016-17 campaign as part of her second stint at Lehigh. She becomes the fifth head coach in the women's golf program's 16-year history.
Lynch steps in for Judy Dwyer, who guided Lehigh for five seasons and led the Mountain Hawks to the inaugural Patriot League Women's Golf Championship in 2013. Dwyer recently stepped down from her position to spend more time with her family and family business.
"Mary Kate Lynch knows Lehigh well and appreciates the challenges of balancing serious academics with high aspirations in golf," Lehigh Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett '76 said. "She embraces our athletics mission of helping students through our sports experiences to learn, grow personally and become prepared for a lifetime of leadership."
The former Mary Kate Williams, Lynch initially came to Lehigh as an assistant coach in the fall of 2011 and took over the program's day-to-day operations as interim head coach for the 2012 spring campaign, following the departure of head coach Rob Shutte.
Before returning to Lehigh last fall, Lynch spent four seasons as the head coach at her alma mater, Saint Francis University, where she garnered Northeast Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2013-14. While leading the Red Flash, Lynch mentored Taylar Jaramillo to three first team All-NEC accolades.
Lynch was the first full-time coach in Saint Francis history and also served as the first assistant professional at the Immergrün Golf Club.
While leading Lehigh as interim coach during the spring of 2012, Lynch guided Lehigh in four tournaments, leading the Mountain Hawks to a win in the 10-team Sunshine Spring Classic and a fourth-place finish in the 14-team Spider Intercollegiate.
In addition to her experience in college golf, Lynch has been active with the The First Tee, an organization that strives to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Lynch served as Program Director and Lead Coach for The First Tee of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey for 18 months spanning 2011 and 2012. Since January of 2017, Lynch has served as Program Director for The First Tee of Raritan Valley in New Jersey.
Lynch was active as an assistant golf professional for five years prior to her arrival at Lehigh, beginning at Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Neshanic, N.J., before moving on to the Bedens Brook Club in Skillman, N.J., where she was from 2009-2011.
A New Jersey native, Lynch was the first female member of the Immaculata High School golf team, before going on to play collegiately at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa. She served as team captain as a junior and senior and played an integral role as the Red Flash qualified for the NCAA Regionals in three of her four seasons. She earned All-Northeast Conference honors in 2004 as the Red Flash won one of their three conference titles with Lynch on the team.
Lynch earned her BS in Sociology from Saint Francis in 2006 and added a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management from Saint Francis in 2016. She is currently pursuing her MBA from SFU.
Lynch resides in Bethlehem with her husband Ryan, an assistant athletic trainer in Lehigh's Sports Medicine department.
Lynch steps in for Judy Dwyer, who guided Lehigh for five seasons and led the Mountain Hawks to the inaugural Patriot League Women's Golf Championship in 2013. Dwyer recently stepped down from her position to spend more time with her family and family business.
"Mary Kate Lynch knows Lehigh well and appreciates the challenges of balancing serious academics with high aspirations in golf," Lehigh Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett '76 said. "She embraces our athletics mission of helping students through our sports experiences to learn, grow personally and become prepared for a lifetime of leadership."
The former Mary Kate Williams, Lynch initially came to Lehigh as an assistant coach in the fall of 2011 and took over the program's day-to-day operations as interim head coach for the 2012 spring campaign, following the departure of head coach Rob Shutte.
Before returning to Lehigh last fall, Lynch spent four seasons as the head coach at her alma mater, Saint Francis University, where she garnered Northeast Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2013-14. While leading the Red Flash, Lynch mentored Taylar Jaramillo to three first team All-NEC accolades.
Lynch was the first full-time coach in Saint Francis history and also served as the first assistant professional at the Immergrün Golf Club.
While leading Lehigh as interim coach during the spring of 2012, Lynch guided Lehigh in four tournaments, leading the Mountain Hawks to a win in the 10-team Sunshine Spring Classic and a fourth-place finish in the 14-team Spider Intercollegiate.
In addition to her experience in college golf, Lynch has been active with the The First Tee, an organization that strives to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Lynch served as Program Director and Lead Coach for The First Tee of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey for 18 months spanning 2011 and 2012. Since January of 2017, Lynch has served as Program Director for The First Tee of Raritan Valley in New Jersey.
Lynch was active as an assistant golf professional for five years prior to her arrival at Lehigh, beginning at Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Neshanic, N.J., before moving on to the Bedens Brook Club in Skillman, N.J., where she was from 2009-2011.
A New Jersey native, Lynch was the first female member of the Immaculata High School golf team, before going on to play collegiately at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa. She served as team captain as a junior and senior and played an integral role as the Red Flash qualified for the NCAA Regionals in three of her four seasons. She earned All-Northeast Conference honors in 2004 as the Red Flash won one of their three conference titles with Lynch on the team.
Lynch earned her BS in Sociology from Saint Francis in 2006 and added a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management from Saint Francis in 2016. She is currently pursuing her MBA from SFU.
Lynch resides in Bethlehem with her husband Ryan, an assistant athletic trainer in Lehigh's Sports Medicine department.
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