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Biehl Lukkarinen hired as Western Illinois women’s golf coach
Western Illinois' Lia Biehl Lukkarinen |
MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Van Alstine has announced the hiring of Lia Biehl Lukkarinen as women’s golf coach. A former player on the LPGA Tour, Biehl Lukkarinen will begin her duties immediately.
“It’s great to be a part of Western’s atheltic program,” Biehl Lukkarinen said. “We have a talented team with several newcomers, and I am looking forward to a fantastic golf season.”
A former assistant coach at Illinois, Biehl Lukkarinen was a four-year letterwinner and team captain for the Illini from 1987-91 before graduating to the professional ranks. She spent two years on the Futures Tour where she won one tournament and finished in the top six on the money list.
After her success on the Futures Tour she spent one full season as an exempt player on the LPGA Tour, playing in more than 20 events and competing in the 1994 U.S. Women’s Open.
“We are fortunate to have a person with Lia’s coaching and playing experience,” Van Alstine said. “Obviously her tenure on the LPGA Tour will be invaluable to our women’s golf program in both coaching and recruiting. She will undoubtedly be a huge asset to our student-athletes.”
Biehl Lukkarinen also has nearly ten years of experience as a golf instructor. She began her career as head instructor for the golf academy at Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena, Ill. She then spent three years as a teaching professional at Kansas City Country Club where she also set the women’s course record (65) in July of 1999.
After her stint as an assistant coach at Illinois in 2001, Biehl Lukkarinen has spent the past three years as the Director of Golf at Oak Terrace Resort in Pana, Ill.
“Looking at our men’s and women’s golf programs in general, the men’s golf program is solid under the guidance of Mel Blasi. The addition of Lia on the women’s side will reinforce the strength of the programs, which reaches beyond just athletics,” Van Alstine said. “Western Illinois University is blessed to have a great golf program and a great golf course. With both Mel and Lia, our golf community will receive the best instruction in the region.”
Biehl Lukkarinen is both a Class A PGA and LPGA member and holds an Honors Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Illinois where she graduated with a 4.4 grade point average.
 
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