Wake Forest, Kim Lewellen Agree to Long-Term Contract Extension
1/21/2026 9:26:00 AM | Women's Golf
Tony and Vi Golding Head Coach has led Demon Deacons to unprecedented national and conference success.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest University Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie announced on Wednesday that Kim Lewellen, the Tony and Vi Golding Head Coach of Women's Golf, has signed a long-term contract extension to continue leading one of the nation's premier programs.
Now in her eighth season in Winston-Salem, Lewellen has elevated Wake Forest women's golf to historic heights, highlighted by the program's first NCAA National Championship in 2023 and sustained excellence at both the conference and national levels. Under her leadership, the Demon Deacons have captured 29 team titles, three ACC Championships, and have advanced to six consecutive NCAA Championships.
Wake Forest student-athletes have flourished under Lewellen's guidance, with 22 All-ACC selections, 22 All-Americans, and multiple national honors. Rachel Kuehn became the first player in program history to earn back-to-back ACC Player of the Year honors (2022, 2023), while Carolina Chacarra (2022) and Macy Pate (2024) were named ACC Freshman of the Year. The Demon Deacons have also established themselves as one of the nation's elite match-play programs, posting an 19–2 record since the 2023 national championship season.
Lewellen's coaching excellence has been recognized nationally, earning three ACC Coach of the Year honors (2019, 2022, 2024) and Women's Golf Coaches Association National Coach of the Year honors in 2020 and 2023.
Beyond collegiate success, Lewellen has helped prepare her student-athletes for the professional ranks. Two-time Curtis Cup member Lauren Walsh, 2025 Ladies European Tour Rookie of the Year Mimi Rhodes, and Carolina Chacarra — a five-time Augusta National Women's Amateur participant — have each earned LPGA Tour cards. Jennifer Kupcho, meanwhile, won the inaugural ANWA in 2019 and has won four LPA events including the 2022 Chevron Championship. Additionally, Emilia Doran (Migliaccio) serves as the on-course analyst for the NBC Sports Broadcast team, alongside Golf Channel and PGA Tour live.
This past fall, Wake Forest captured team titles at the Annika Intercollegiate and Jackson T. Stephens Cup, continuing a run of consistent national prominence. The Demon Deacons will return to action at the Moon Golf Invitational, Feb. 15–17, in Melbourne, Fla.
What They Are Saying:
Now in her eighth season in Winston-Salem, Lewellen has elevated Wake Forest women's golf to historic heights, highlighted by the program's first NCAA National Championship in 2023 and sustained excellence at both the conference and national levels. Under her leadership, the Demon Deacons have captured 29 team titles, three ACC Championships, and have advanced to six consecutive NCAA Championships.
Wake Forest student-athletes have flourished under Lewellen's guidance, with 22 All-ACC selections, 22 All-Americans, and multiple national honors. Rachel Kuehn became the first player in program history to earn back-to-back ACC Player of the Year honors (2022, 2023), while Carolina Chacarra (2022) and Macy Pate (2024) were named ACC Freshman of the Year. The Demon Deacons have also established themselves as one of the nation's elite match-play programs, posting an 19–2 record since the 2023 national championship season.
Lewellen's coaching excellence has been recognized nationally, earning three ACC Coach of the Year honors (2019, 2022, 2024) and Women's Golf Coaches Association National Coach of the Year honors in 2020 and 2023.
Beyond collegiate success, Lewellen has helped prepare her student-athletes for the professional ranks. Two-time Curtis Cup member Lauren Walsh, 2025 Ladies European Tour Rookie of the Year Mimi Rhodes, and Carolina Chacarra — a five-time Augusta National Women's Amateur participant — have each earned LPGA Tour cards. Jennifer Kupcho, meanwhile, won the inaugural ANWA in 2019 and has won four LPA events including the 2022 Chevron Championship. Additionally, Emilia Doran (Migliaccio) serves as the on-course analyst for the NBC Sports Broadcast team, alongside Golf Channel and PGA Tour live.
This past fall, Wake Forest captured team titles at the Annika Intercollegiate and Jackson T. Stephens Cup, continuing a run of consistent national prominence. The Demon Deacons will return to action at the Moon Golf Invitational, Feb. 15–17, in Melbourne, Fla.
What They Are Saying:
- Tony and Vi Golding Head Coach of Women's Golf Kim Lewellen:
- "I'm incredibly grateful for the support of Wake Forest, our administration, our staff, and the student-athletes I have the privilege to serve and coach. I'm also deeply thankful to Dianne Dailey, whose legacy laid the foundation for this program. This is a special place with special people, and I'm proud of what our team has accomplished together. It takes a village to do what we've done, and I could not have faced the obstacles and accomplished what we have without the help of those around us including our support staff, my family and the surrounding community. We've built something sustainable and special, and I'm excited about what's ahead for our program."
- President Susan R. Wente:
- "Kim Lewellen embodies the very best of Wake Forest. She leads with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence—not only in competition, but in the lives of the young women she mentors. I have valued our relationship and the way Coach Lewellen represents this University with humility and strength on the national stage. Her impact extends well beyond championships, shaping a culture that reflects our Pro Humanitate values and elevates Wake Forest's reputation across higher education."
- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie:
- "Kim Lewellen's expectation of excellence for Wake Forest honors the heritage of one of collegiate golf's flagship programs while inspiring her student-athletes to reach new marks of achievement both athletically and academically. Building on the foundation and legacy of Dianne Dailey, Coach Lewellen continues to elevate Wake Forest golf nationally and worldwide to unprecedented heights."
- Wake Forest women's golf alum Carolina Lopez-Chacarra ('25)
- "Coach Kim has meant so much to my growth, both as a player and as a person. She challenges you every day to be your best, and truly cares about the players she coaches. Knowing she'll continue to lead this program means everything to those of us who call Wake our second home. I'm incredibly grateful for the impact she's had on my journey and excited for what's ahead for the program."
- Senior Wake Forest women's golf student-athlete Anne-Sterre den Dunnen:
- "I am so incredibly excited that Coach Kim is going to be able to continue her legacy here at Wake. In these past few years of working with her, she has taught me so much and made me feel right at home. She's helped me feel like a part of the Wake family and every practice feels like she helps us get better and better. She has the vision and the drive that is needed to help lift this program up even further than she already has, and I can't wait to see what she is going to be able to achieve over these next couple of years!"
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Steve Forbes - Postgame Presser vs. SMU
Wednesday, January 21
Men's Basketball All-Access at Florida State
Monday, January 19
Steve Forbes - Postgame Presser at Florida State
Sunday, January 18
Wake Forest vs Mississippi State | Duke's Mayo Bowl Cinematic Recap
Friday, January 09