North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State To Add Women's Golf
4/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
"With the popularity of golf in this state, we felt it was the right sport to add," commented Robinson. "Adding this team will be a plus for us in so many ways."
Page Marsh Lea has been named head coach of the Wolfpack Women golf program. Lea, one of the top amateur players in the state of North Carolina, was an All-America golfer at the University of North Carolina in 1983.
"I'm excited and honored to have the opportunity to develop a women's golf program at NC State, which has such a strong tradition of athletics and academics," said Lea. "The university and I are both committed to making this program one of the finest in the country."
Press McPhaul, who is in his second year as assistant coach of the Wolfpack men's golf team, will also serve as an assistant to Lea.
"It is a great day for NC State!" said NC State Senior Associate Athletic Director Nora Lynn Finch. "Today we are announcing that Page Marsh Lea will coach our women's golf team. By announcing that NC State is reinstating women's golf, the University is demonstrating its commitment to women's athletics and to a broad based, well rounded intercollegiate athletics program. By announcing that Page will be our full-time coach, we are speaking volumes about our intentions to compete nationally and about our commitment to a genuinely well-rounded golf program."
The Wolfpack Women will be the sixth women's golf program in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Duke, Florida State, Maryland, North Carolina and Wake Forest all currently have women's golf programs that compete in the ACC. Duke and Wake Forest are competitive at the national level, ranking #2 and #10 respectively in the latest polls.
NC State fielded a women's golf team from 1980-86 before discontinuing the program when it was no longer an ACC sponsored sport. The ACC now sponsors a conference championship in the spring.
Page Marsh Lea
NC State head women's golf coach
NC State begins women's golf competition in the fall of 2000 when the program will be directed by the capable hands of Page Marsh Lea. One of the top amateur golfers in the state of North Carolina, Lea will serve as head coach of the Wolfpack Women golf program. Lea brings a wide expanse of tournament experience at all levels of the game - junior, collegiate, amateur and professional.
A North Carolina native, Lea is looking forward to building a competitive golf program at NC State.
"I'm excited and honored to have the opportunity to develop a women's golf program at NC State, which has such a strong tradition of athletics and academics,' said Lea. 'The university and I are both committed to making this program one of the finest in the country. This committment extends not only to the full funding of the women's program, but also to the world class golf course and practice facility being designed and built by Tom Fazio. What a great opportunity that the university has given to me and my future student-athletes. I'm thrilled that I can be a part of NC State's continued commitment to excellence."
Lea is familiar with not only the state of North Carolina, but also the ACC. As a member of the University of North Carolina golf team, she was named All-ACC in 1984 and 1985. She was also an NCAA All-America selection in 1983 and a AIAW Regional All-American in 1981 and 1982.
As a member of the Lady Tar Heel squad, Lea recorded 15 top-10 finishes in her career, including wins at the 1981 and 1982 Duke Invitationals, and the 1982 Pat Bradley Invitational. She was named the squad's MVP all four years of her collegiate career.
Lea has also enjoyed an illustrious career following her college playing days. Following her graduation from UNC in 1985, she moved to Orlando, Florida and played professionally in the Future Tour Events and Women's Florida Golf Tour in 1986 and 1987. She participated in the LPGA Tour School in 1986.
She then returned to North Carolina where she resumed her amateur career. Lea has represented her home state 13 times in the Carolinas-Virginias team matches, serving as team captain from 1994-1998.
The defending North Carolina Women's State Amateur Champion, Lea has won the prestigious event six times - 1983, 1984, 1985, 1996, 1997 and 1999. She is also a five time Women's Carolina Amateur Champion - 1983, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1996. She has competed in the US Women's Open three times during her career.
Lea also has impressive amateur wins in Mexico, International Women's Four Ball and the North and South, defeating LPGA star Donna Andrews 4 and 3. She was a Curtis Cup alternate and a US Women's Mid-Am finalist in 1989 and 1990 and was ranked in the top ten by Golf Digest.
"Page brings a variety of strengths to our women's golf program," commented NC State Senior Associate Athletic Director Nora Lynn Finch. "Obviously, she is an outstanding player whose name is quickly known and whose skills and accomplishments are greatly admired. She understands competition and knows what a golfer needs to compete at the highest level. Her connections with the golf community are extensive. The status of NC State golf is immediately enhanced because of Page's reputation. Having Page as our coach is a tremendous testimony about NC State's commitment to women's golf."
Lea was recently named to the executive committee of the Carolinas Golf Association. She made history with that selection, being the first female in the 91-year history of the organization to serve on the executive committee.
She has also served as Associate Director of the Women's Western Golf Association since 1991 and the United States Golf Association Women's Mid-Amateur Committee since 1990. Since 1998, Lea has been a Steering Committee member of the North and South Amateur Championships.
Throughout her golf career, she has worked at Resorts of Pinehurst as Programs Manager, and served on the golf staff at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., and the Academy of Golf at Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Fla.
In addition to her golf career, Lea has taught English and coached at MAST Charter School in Pinehurst, Union Pines High School in Vass, Ragsdale High School in Jamestown and High Point Central High School in High Point.
Lea resides in Southern Pines with her husband, John, and four-year old twin daughters Emma Shields and Rachel Marsh.
