Women's Golf Blawg: Andrea VanderLende Excited To Come To UW

Mary Lou Mulflur announced the hiring of former Florida Gator player Andrea VanderLende as an assistant coach last week. She officially starts at Washington on Aug. 1 and will be a guest blawgger for the UW throughout the season. She decided to get a jump start and submitted an entry on Monday!

Life is truly an adventure and can be extremely exciting. That is how I feel about making one of the biggest moves in my life. I am trading in my blue and orange for purple and gold and coming to the Pac-10 which is the best conference in the country right now. Yes, you can say I am excited.

Upon graduating from the University of Florida, I knew I wanted to stay in golf but was not sure where the industry would allow me to excel and make a difference. It was while working at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina with the Junior Program that I started to see myself coaching. With that in mind, I have spent the last few years trying to acquire the skills and insight it takes to build a strong foundation for coaching. I know I am ready and what could be better than being Coach Mulflur's assistant coach. Who wouldn't want to learn from the best!

The University of Washington's golf program is outstanding and offers their student athletes every opportunity to excel on and off the course. I was thrilled to see the new indoor practice facility and what golfer wouldn't want to call Washington National their home course.

The last time I played Washington National was at the NCAA Championship my freshman year. The course and Seattle left a lasting impression and who would have known I would be calling it home eight years later.

In a few short weeks, I will have the move behind me and will be able start preparing for a great season ahead. I am looking forward to meeting the UW staff and especially our student athletes. With the help of understanding co-workers and my Garmin, the University of Washington will feel like home in no time.