WINTER PARK, Fla. (February 1, 2010) – Former University of Florida and LPGA Tour member Naree Song has joined the Rollins women’s golf coaching staff, head coach Julie Garner announced Monday.

Song brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Tars championship women’s golf program and will get to work right away as Rollins begins its 2010 season Feb. 6-7 at the Kiawah Island Invitational.

"Naree has a unique skill set that will really help elevate our program,” said Garner. “Not all great players are great teachers, but she is a natural at mentoring players at all levels; she explains the fundamentals of the game simply and completely, and has a great rapport with our team.” 

Song’s career began very early when she and twin sister Aree, also an LPGA pro, followed their father to the golf course at age seven. The family relocated from Thailand to Bradenton, Fla. where Song enrolled in the David Ledbetter Golf Academy. As a sixth grader, she won the Florida High School State Championship, becoming the youngest champion in the event’s history. She went on to win three AJGA major championships and also managed a 4.0 GPA through high school.

In 2000 at the age of 14, Song competed in her first U.S. Women’s Open and finished as the low amateur, the youngest to do so in the history of the Championship. Later that year, she won her first professional event as an amateur, at the Kosaido Thailand Ladies Open.

As a junior, Song was invited to 12 LPGA events, posting her best finish by tying for 29th at the 2002 Wegmens Rochester International. She graduated with high honors from the Pendleton School in 2004 and earned a full scholarship to golf for the University of Florida. She earned three top-10 finishes in the fall semester while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Song turned professional at the age of 17 and earned her first win as a pro at the New Innsbrook Country Club Futures Golf Classic.

“We are thrilled to have a coach of her ‘golf IQ’ assisting our student-athletes,” added Garner. “It’s an honor to have someone of her accomplishments working with us!"

The fourth-ranked Rollins women’s golf team will begin their spring, championship season at the 2010 Kiawah Island Invitational February 6-7. The Tars won three of four tournaments in the fall and also tallied a runner-up finish at the Nova Southeastern Shark Invitational. Junior All-American Joanna Coe will look to continue her stellar play as the earned two runner-up finishes and a pair of victories in the fall season.