Oftedahl was the 2005 Lake Michigan Conference Coach of the Year after leading the men's program to their first-ever league championship. (Photo courtesy of Edgewood College)

Oftedahl adds women's golf to duties at Edgewood College
MADISON, Wis. -- Edgewood College athletic director Al Brisack announced today that Gary Oftedahl, the Eagles' head men's golf coach since 2000, will add head women's golf coach to his title. Oftedahl was the 2005 Lake Michigan Conference Coach of the Year after leading the men's program to their first-ever league championship.

“I am thrilled about becoming the Edgewood College women's golf coach,” said Oftedahl. “I have watched the program develop over its initial years, and I wish to continue it past successes while striving for newer heights. I believe that Edgewood can offer a very quality student-athlete experience to any young person who wishes to continue their golf career in college.”

Oftedahl inherits incredible talent with the Edgewood College women's program. The Eagle women captured back-to-back LMC Championships in 2004 and 2005. Senior Taryn Rechlicz (Madison, Wis.) is the returning LMC Player of the Year, an award she also won in 2004 when she placed 12th at the NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championship. In addition, Edgewood College has boasted the last three LMC Rookies of the Year in Nicole Gluzinski (Lindenhurst, Ill.), Kaitlyn Herzog (Waukesha, Wis.), and Casey Brandreth (Brighton, Mich.), all of whom are anticipated to return in 2006.

“One immediate need is numbers,” said Oftedhahl. “We need more golfers so that team scores get better through competition. I'm pleased, though, that we will have several quality golfers to build around. We return quality for this fall, but we need to find quantity”

Regarded by many as a great teacher of the game, Oftedahl has also shown the ability to recruit some of the region's top players. Oftedahl has taken the men's program to a perennial contender since his arrival, including runner-up finishes for the LMC title in 2003 and 2004.

“I am thrilled that Gary Oftedahl will be leading our women's golf program,” said Brisack. “Gary has done a tremendous job with our men's program. He is a wonderful role model for our student-athletes and an excellent teacher. The Madison area has a strong golf tradition and it seems only appropriate that we have golf programs which demonstrate the strength of that tradition. Gary shares this vision and has a clear plan to bring success to our men and women.”

Oftedahl taught and coached for 31 years in the McFarland, Wis school system. Oftedahl's McFarland boy's golf team won numerous conference championships and a WIAA Division 2 state title in 2004.

Release courtesy of Edgewood College, Sports Information Department, August 1, 2006.