Women's Golf
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- cvandam1@kent.edu
- Phone:
- 330-672-4600
Casey VanDamme was named the head women's golf coach at Kent State in August of 2021. VanDamme became the fourth golf coach in the 23-year history of the program. VanDamme joined Kent State after seven successful seasons as the head coach of the men's and women's golf programs at South Dakota State.
Since taking over, Coach VanDamme has continued Kent State’s tradition of excellence. The Golden Flashes have claimed the Mid-American Conference title in each of his first four seasons, improving the team’s streak to 26 consecutive titles. Under his direction, 17 golfers have been named to the All-MAC First and Second teams, including reigning MAC golfer of the year Veronika Kedronova and MAC freshman of the year Gracie Larsen. Additionally, the past three seasons have seen VanDamme claim three consecutive MAC coach of the year awards.
Before joining Kent State, VanDamme led the Jackrabbits' women's golf team to 15 team wins in his seven years in Brookings and 48 top-five finishes. He helped re-write the women's golf record book, setting the program record in tournaments for 18, 36, and 54-hole scoring. VanDamme's teams also own the season records in stroke average as well as top-five, top-10, and top-25 team finishes. On the men's side, VanDamme earned a pair of Summit League titles in 2016 and 2017 and a pair of Coach of the Year awards, also in 2016 and 2017.
During his seven-year tenure at South Dakota State, 51 golfers have been named to the Summit League Honor Roll. He has coached 22 all-conference golfers, three players of the year, three individual Summit League champions, two newcomers of the year, and the first women's golf All-American.
Prior to being named just the second full-time head coach in South Dakota State history, he was the director of instruction and player development for the University of Tennessee's men's program for five seasons. During that time, the Vols earned the first number-one ranking in program history and made the NCAA tournament all five seasons with three NCAA finals appearances.
VanDamme began his college golf career at Marquette before finishing his career at Northern Michigan. He graduated from Northern Michigan in 2000 and played professionally on the Hooters Tour in 2003 and 2004.
