On Friday afternoon, Director of Athletics Jeff Martinez announced the return of Art Salvesen to the University of Redlands coaching staff, effective immediately. Following a one-year hiatus from collegiate coaching, Salvesen now takes on the role of Head Women's Golf Coach, a position that was previously held by Martinez since the program began its varsity schedule in 2007.
No stranger to Bulldog Athletics, Salvesen served as the Head Men's Golf Coach at Redlands from 2000-2009, guiding the Maroon and Gray to eight NCAA appearances and four national runner-up finishes. During his tenure, he was named the NCAA Division III West Regional Coach of the Year on three occasions and helped Redlands capture the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championship in 2002, 2003, 2005, and again in 2006. He coached numerous All-America honorees as well as academically distinguished golfers.
"Artie's commitment to the student-athlete experience and to the mission of our institution ensures a tremendous opportunity for the young women and I have no doubt, that much like our men's program, our Lady Bulldogs will soon become one of the premiere NCAA Division III women's golf programs in the country," stated Martinez.
Prior to his departure from Redlands, Salvesen played an instrumental role in the development of the Bulldog women's golf program by contributing a significant amount of time, expertise and resources.
Following a year off in order to travel and spend time with his family, Salvesen looks forward to the new challenges of working with a program that has just completed its fourth year of competition.
"While coaching the men's golf team, a national title eluded me throughout my 10 seasons. Combining efforts with current men's coach Butch Edge, who is also a great friend of mine, I believe we can make both programs among the best in all of Division III," commented Salvesen. "Our biggest challenge will be establishing a competitive women's schedule that allows us to contend at the national level... I am glad to be back at Redlands and look forward to getting started."
Salvesen inherits a program that graduated its first four-year competitors just this past May and returns eight players for the 2010-11 campaign.
As a Division III Independent, the Bulldog women's golf team looks forward to competing in the fall for the first time. Redlands tees off on October 18-19 at the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges Coed Invitational at Empire Lakes Golf Club.