b'End of an EraMaryLouMulflurstepsdownas Husky head coach by Tom Cade, EditorAND SO IT IS OVER. That 2016 NCAA title was the After 42 years as themost prominent achievement in head coach of theprogram history, but the list of womens golf teamaccomplishments, on and off at the University ofthe golf course, is long. Washington, MaryMulflur has coached Lou Mulflur will walknumerous Huskies who have no more fairways withgone on to play professionally her players, retiring thisor coach at the collegiate June.level. Nancy Kessler-McDaniel, a In the history of themember of Mulflurs first recruiting program, two individuals stand out asclass, played at Washington from 1984 to the cornerstones. 1988. She went on to play professionally and First is Edean Ihlanfeldt, the teamshas been head coach at the University of first coach and PNGA Hall of Famer,whoCalifornia for three decades. Former Husky started the program in 1974-75 and continuedAll-American Kelli Kamimura, who served through the 1980-81 season, when she retired. as an assistant to Mulflur after her playing But it is Mulflur, who played for Ihlanfeldtcareer ended, went on to spend 12 seasons as at the UW in the late 1970s and then tookhead coach at Washington State University.over as head coach in 1983, who wouldThere are so many things I admire about become synonymous with the HuskiesMary Lou, says Kamimura. She is an womens golf program and its consistency ofincredible coach and person, and Ive been excellence.lucky to have had her as a coach, a colleague, Since NCAA Regionals for womens golfand a lifelong mentor and friend.were first introduced in 1993, the UW womenMulflurs players have also achieved have earned a berth in all but one season. Thein the classroom. During her tenure, UW program reached the pinnacle in 2016, whengolfers have been named to the Womens Washington won the NCAA ChampionshipGolf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-for their first national title. Scholar Team on 30 occasions. Her teams consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation in terms of the NCAAs two primary academic ratings: Graduation If you have great kids,Success Rate and Academic Progress Rate.youre a great coach,Mulflur was named the Pac-12 Coach of Mulflur says. Ive beenthe Year on three occasionsin 1998, 1999 lucky enough to have some great players.20 PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER|JUN 2025'