St. Andrews hires LPGA Class A Teaching Pro as new golf coach

August 15, 2007

LAURINBURG, N.C.—Brian Mand, St. Andrews Presbyterian College Athletic Director, has announced the hiring of Lisa Becka as the head coach for the Knights men and women’s golf programs for the 2007-08 season.

Becka comes to SAPC after selling her family owned and operated 18-hole public golf facility in Columbiana, Ohio named Copeland Hills Golf Club. As a youngster Lisa grew up on the golf course and eventually became the Director of Golf & LPGA Class-A Teaching Professional. During her time at Copeland, Becka directed and managed every aspect of the business operation. With a passion for education she developed several learning programs for men, women and children including Business Links, Ladies Links, Senior Stretch, and Just Fore Juniors – a junior golf program. She also was the program director for one of the nationally recognized LPGA-USGA Junior Girls Golf Clubs in Columbiana. She focused on teaching kids the game of golf while helping the high school talent find collegiate scholarships and academic opportunities.

Active in her community, Becka taught the physical education class Beginning Golf at Kent State University in Salem, Ohio. While at Kent State, she helped numerous administrators of local high school sport’s programs with their fund raising efforts in using golf as a vehicle to drive community support. Becka has taught beginners the basics, as well as trained high school and collegiate golfers.

She has instructed professional players including LPGA Tour Member Marianne Morris, a University of South Carolina graduate. Morris’s accolades include a 1996 16th place finish on the LPGA Tour’s money list, a third place finish at the 1996 LPGA Championship, a second place finish at the 1997 LPGA Jamie Farr Kroger Classic, and also has 14 US Women’s Opens to her credit.

“Lisa helped me tremendously with my game and was constantly sought out by other tour players on the range at tournament sites. The players at St. Andrews are lucky to have her. Mark my words – those student-athletes will see an immediate difference in their performance!” expressed Morris.

“Lisa Becka comes highly recommended by respected professionals and fellow coaching peers at both professional and collegiate golf levels and is very familiar with the area having spent the past two summers serving as an LPGA Instructor for the Women and Junior Golfaris for Hall of Famer Peggy Kirk Bell at the Pine Needles Golf Resort,” said Mand.

Becka also boasts an accomplished playing career at the collegiate level. Becka was a four-year member of the University of Central Florida golf team, winning the Lady Sunshine Invitational at Riviera Country Club as a Lady Knight. Becka played another eight years as a professional golfer including stints on the Futures Tour, Gold Coast Tour, Central Florida Challenge Mini-Tour, and on sponsor’s exemptions on the LPGA Tour.

Becka has a golf philosophy that fits well at St. Andrews bringing an incredibly positive attitude with a talent for recruiting and developing leaders with an equal desire to excel.

“I am thrilled to be a part of St. Andrews and the athletic program. Dr. Mand’s confidence in my abilities to mentor the student-athletes and to direct both programs is encouraging,” Becka stated with an excitement. “I am determined to make the community proud of the golfers at St. Andrews, as well as helping each athlete become a well-rounded academic and athletic powerhouse.”

“Her (Becka) experiences as a collegiate and professional golfer and golf course owner will be invaluable to the golf student-athletes at St. Andrews, who will come under her tutelage,” concluded Mand.

The Columbiana, Ohio, native graduated from Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies in 1989. Becka is an LPGA Class-A Teaching Professional with education credits from an abundant amount of golf schools, workshops, programs, and seminars. She is also a general aviation enthusiast who holds an FAA Private Pilot’s certificate for Airplane Single and Multi-Engine land.

If you are interested in being a member of the St. Andrews men or women’s golf program under Coach Becka, please contact Admissions at 1-800-763-0198.