Eastern Michigan Athletics
Women's Golf
Wagner, Sandy
Sandy Wagner
- Title:
- Head Women's Golf Coach
- Email:
- swagner2@emich.edu
- Phone:
- 734.487.6435
When the Eastern Michigan University athletics department was searching for a head women’s golf coach to lead the team into the future, there was one name that continued to move to the top of the list — Sandy Wagner.
Wagner came highly touted as someone that would provide some needed excitement and stability into the program to begin the resurgence of EMU women’s golf.
The 2014-15 season is Wagner’s 10th as head coach. Wagner has proven to be the right person for the job after her first nine seasons.
Last year, Eastern Michigan picked up another major accolade, as the team was ranked 11th nationally in the Women’s Golf Coaches Association’s All-Scholar Team GPA Awards. The Eagles boasted a cumulative team GPA of 3.720.
On the course, Karyn Lee Ping finished in fourth place with a 226 (73-72-81) at the MAC Championships for her first career top-10 showing as she picked up All-Tournament accolades for her effort. Freshman Kelsey Murphy also collected second-team All-MAC honors.
For the sixth time in program history, Wagner’s team equaled the school’s best finish with a runner-up showing at the 2013 Mid-American Conference Women’s Golf Championship. The Eagles carded a three-day total of 937 (318-303-316) to finish in a tie for second place. For their efforts, Sarah Johnson was named first team All-MAC for the second consecutive season, while Alyssa Kwon picked up second team All-MAC accolades.
EMU’s second-place finish equaled the mark set by the 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009 and the 2011 squads. The Eagles’ six runner-up finishes at the MAC Championship are the most of any team in the league.
It was another magical 2011-12 campaign for the EMU women’s golf team, as the Eagles finished with the best four-player team scoring average in school-history. EMU recorded an averaged of 305.74, bettering the mark of 306.87 set by the 2009-10 squad. The mark was 18.94 strokes per 18 holes (305.74 to 324.68) better than when Wagner arrived on the Ypsilanti campus. Additionally, the total ranked second in the Mid-American Conference only behind Kent State University’s average of 302.67.
A relatively young squad, with just one senior and four sophomores, the Eagles placed three golfers in the top 15 of the individual standings and finished in fourth place in the final standings at the 14th Annual MAC Women’s Golf Championship.
Wagner guided the Eagles to another runner-up showing at the 2011 MAC Women’s Golf Championship. For her efforts, Wagner earned Coach of the Year accolades for the second time in her career.
Individually, Sarah Johnson claimed the MAC Women’s Golf Individual Championship to become the first EMU player to win individual medalist honors since the program began prior to the 1996-97 campaign. Johnson finished seven strokes ahead of the rest of the field, and turned in scores of 72-73-71 in the championships. Johnson was named to the all-tournament team and first team All-MAC squad, while Darby Peters garnered second team All-MAC accolades. Alyssa Kwon was named the Freshman of the Year, to go along with Robyn Scott taking home the Sportswoman of the Year award.
The 2009-10 EMU team finished with a team scoring average of 306.87. Additionally, the total ranked second in the MAC only behind Kent State’s average of 299.71.
The Eagles placed four golfers in the top 30 of the individual standings and finished in fourth place in the final standings at the MAC Championships. Robyn Scott finished in third place to equal the then-best finish by an EMU student-athlete since the tournament began in 1999.
For its season-long efforts, EMU picked up five postseason awards from the MAC. Darby Peters was named first team All-MAC for the second consecutive year. Scott garnered second-team All-MAC accolades and All-Tournament team honors for her efforts, while Emily Podzielinski was named the league’s Freshman of the Year along with being chosen second-team All-MAC.
At the conclusion of the 2008-09 campaign, the Eagles ranked as the 10th best team in the nation in total short game with a .485 average. In addition to the short game accolade, the Eagles ranked 81st nationally by the Golfweek/Sagarin ratings and 86th by GolfStat. Stephany Fleet was ranked the 129th best golfer in the nation according to the Golfweek/Sagarin system with a 66-43-12 overall record in 2008-09.
Following the runner-up showing at the 2009 MAC Women’s Golf Championship, EMU picked a trio of postseason awards to cap a stellar 2008-09 campaign. Fleet was named to the All-Tournament and first-team All-MAC squads, earning first team honors for the second time in her career. Darby Peters also garnered first team All-MAC accolades for her efforts, while Courtney Aili was selected to the all-tournament team and second team All-MAC.
Wagner guided the Eagles to a record-setting season in 2007-08, with a second place showing at the 2008 Mid-American Conference Championship. The Green and White won a school-record four in-season tournaments. EMU won the Brickyard Invitational and the Shootout at the Legends that fall along with the Red Rocks Invitational and the EKU Spring Invitational in the spring.
Heading into the 2007-08 spring campaign, Eastern Michigan achieved its highest national ranking ever. The Eagles ranked 52nd according to the Oct. 17, 2007, release of the GolfStat head-to-head standings. EMU finished the season ranked 84th with a record of 148-84 in the May 5, 2008, release. Catherine Fortin also posted the lowest 18-hole average in school history at 74.96 strokes. That total eclipsed the previous best of 75.9 set by Fortin during the 2005-06 campaign. Also, Fleet posted an average of 75.54 that season, for the second-best mark in EMU history. For their efforts throughout the year, Fortin was named to the All-MAC first team while Fleet garnered second team All-MAC honors.
Selected as the 2006-07 MAC Coach of the Year, Wagner led the Eagles a runner-up showing at the Longaberger Golf Club with a three-day total of 1,252 (317-310-311-314). At the 2007 MAC Championship, Fortin finished in third place with a 304 (76-72-79-77) while Fleet placed eighth with a 312 (82-79-75-76). For their efforts, both golfers garnered first team All-MAC accolades.
Besides guiding the Green and White to a record-setting performance at the MAC Championships, Wagner propelled Eastern Michigan to three championships and a second place finish during the 2006-07 season.
In her first season in Ypsilanti, in 2005-06, Wagner improved the Eagles’ team score by 13.4 strokes a round (324.7 to 311.3). She also helped guide the squad to six individual top five and six rounds under par after none during the 2004-05 campaign. The team posted its first tournament victory since the 2002 season.
During Wagner’s tenure at EMU, academics have also played an important part of being a student-athlete. Following the 2009-10 campaign, Emily Podzielinski, Lina Pasquali, Marjorie Thuot and Sarah Johnson were each singled out by the National Golf Coaches Association as an All-American Scholar selection. The 2010-11 season saw five more Eagles be honored by the NGCA, as Meredith Fairbairn, Sarah Johnson, Alyssa Kwon, Usanee Laopattananont and Robyn Scott each took home the accolade. Kwon , Corey Crossan, Meredith Fairbairn and Karyn Lee Ping were added to the list following the 2012-13 campaign.
A Grand Rapids, Mich. native, Wagner is the fifth coach of the Eagles in the history of the program. She came to EMU after serving an assistant women’s golf coach at the University of Michigan for five years.
As a member of the Michigan women’s golf staff from 2000-05, Wagner helped the Wolverines appear in four NCAA Tournaments (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005). During her tenure the Wolverines also captured a runner-up spot in the 2005 Big Ten Championships. Wagner is a former member of the LPGA and teaches golf at Miles of Golf-Kendall Academy in Ann Arbor.
Prior to joining the U-M women’s golf staff, Wagner was a golf professional at Walton Golf Range (1996-99) in Pontiac and also at Willow Creek Golf and Sports Center (1998-2000) in Lake Orion. As a player she finished fourth at the 2000 state of Michigan Women’s Open, and also won the Red Holman Pro-Am tournament, shooting a one-under part 73 at Meadowbrook Country Club.
The 46-year-old Wagner (8-23-68) graduated from Ferris State University in 1991 after earning a bachelor’s degree in business management. She served as a three-year captain of the FSU softball team and also played on the basketball squad for one year.
THE SANDY WAGNER FILE
Full Name: Sandy Wagner
High School: Newaygo
College: Ferris State University - 1991; bachelor’s in business management
COACHING EXPERIENCE
YEAR SCHOOL JOB TITLE MAC FINISH HIGHLIGHTS
2013-14 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 3rd (9 teams) Ranked 11th in the WGCA’s All-Scholar Team GPA Awards
2012-13 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach t-2nd (9 teams) MAC Runner-up for a record sixth time in school-history
2011-12 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 4th (9 teams) Finished with the best four-player team average in team history
2010-11 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 2nd (9 teams) Selected MAC Coach of the Year; Sarah Johnson wins MAC title
2009-10 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 4th (9 teams) Finished with the best four-player team average in school-history
2008-09 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 2nd (9 teams) Team ranked 10th in the nation in total short game (.485 average)
2007-08 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 2nd (8 teams) Won a school-record four in-season tournaments; 307.1 averaged
2006-07 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 2nd (8 teams) Selected the MAC Coach of the Year; Won three in-season tourneys
2005-06 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 6th (8 teams) Improved the EMU team score by 13 strokes from a season earlier
2005 Miles of Golf-Kendall Academy Golf Professional
2004-05 University of Michigan Assistant Women’s Golf Coach Big Ten Conference Runner-Up; NCAA Tournament appearance
2003-04 University of Michigan Assistant Women’s Golf Coach NCAA Tournament appearance
2002-03 University of Michigan Assistant Women’s Golf Coach
2001-02 University of Michigan Assistant Women’s Golf Coach NCAA Tournament appearance
2000-01 University of Michigan Assistant Women’s Golf Coach NCAA Tournament appearance
1999-2000 Miles of Golf-Kendall Academy Golf Professional
1998-2000 Willow Creek Golf Golf Professional
1996-1999 Walton Golf Range - Pontiac Golf Professional
Wagner came highly touted as someone that would provide some needed excitement and stability into the program to begin the resurgence of EMU women’s golf.
The 2014-15 season is Wagner’s 10th as head coach. Wagner has proven to be the right person for the job after her first nine seasons.
Last year, Eastern Michigan picked up another major accolade, as the team was ranked 11th nationally in the Women’s Golf Coaches Association’s All-Scholar Team GPA Awards. The Eagles boasted a cumulative team GPA of 3.720.
On the course, Karyn Lee Ping finished in fourth place with a 226 (73-72-81) at the MAC Championships for her first career top-10 showing as she picked up All-Tournament accolades for her effort. Freshman Kelsey Murphy also collected second-team All-MAC honors.
For the sixth time in program history, Wagner’s team equaled the school’s best finish with a runner-up showing at the 2013 Mid-American Conference Women’s Golf Championship. The Eagles carded a three-day total of 937 (318-303-316) to finish in a tie for second place. For their efforts, Sarah Johnson was named first team All-MAC for the second consecutive season, while Alyssa Kwon picked up second team All-MAC accolades.
EMU’s second-place finish equaled the mark set by the 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009 and the 2011 squads. The Eagles’ six runner-up finishes at the MAC Championship are the most of any team in the league.
It was another magical 2011-12 campaign for the EMU women’s golf team, as the Eagles finished with the best four-player team scoring average in school-history. EMU recorded an averaged of 305.74, bettering the mark of 306.87 set by the 2009-10 squad. The mark was 18.94 strokes per 18 holes (305.74 to 324.68) better than when Wagner arrived on the Ypsilanti campus. Additionally, the total ranked second in the Mid-American Conference only behind Kent State University’s average of 302.67.
A relatively young squad, with just one senior and four sophomores, the Eagles placed three golfers in the top 15 of the individual standings and finished in fourth place in the final standings at the 14th Annual MAC Women’s Golf Championship.
Wagner guided the Eagles to another runner-up showing at the 2011 MAC Women’s Golf Championship. For her efforts, Wagner earned Coach of the Year accolades for the second time in her career.
Individually, Sarah Johnson claimed the MAC Women’s Golf Individual Championship to become the first EMU player to win individual medalist honors since the program began prior to the 1996-97 campaign. Johnson finished seven strokes ahead of the rest of the field, and turned in scores of 72-73-71 in the championships. Johnson was named to the all-tournament team and first team All-MAC squad, while Darby Peters garnered second team All-MAC accolades. Alyssa Kwon was named the Freshman of the Year, to go along with Robyn Scott taking home the Sportswoman of the Year award.
The 2009-10 EMU team finished with a team scoring average of 306.87. Additionally, the total ranked second in the MAC only behind Kent State’s average of 299.71.
The Eagles placed four golfers in the top 30 of the individual standings and finished in fourth place in the final standings at the MAC Championships. Robyn Scott finished in third place to equal the then-best finish by an EMU student-athlete since the tournament began in 1999.
For its season-long efforts, EMU picked up five postseason awards from the MAC. Darby Peters was named first team All-MAC for the second consecutive year. Scott garnered second-team All-MAC accolades and All-Tournament team honors for her efforts, while Emily Podzielinski was named the league’s Freshman of the Year along with being chosen second-team All-MAC.
At the conclusion of the 2008-09 campaign, the Eagles ranked as the 10th best team in the nation in total short game with a .485 average. In addition to the short game accolade, the Eagles ranked 81st nationally by the Golfweek/Sagarin ratings and 86th by GolfStat. Stephany Fleet was ranked the 129th best golfer in the nation according to the Golfweek/Sagarin system with a 66-43-12 overall record in 2008-09.
Following the runner-up showing at the 2009 MAC Women’s Golf Championship, EMU picked a trio of postseason awards to cap a stellar 2008-09 campaign. Fleet was named to the All-Tournament and first-team All-MAC squads, earning first team honors for the second time in her career. Darby Peters also garnered first team All-MAC accolades for her efforts, while Courtney Aili was selected to the all-tournament team and second team All-MAC.
Wagner guided the Eagles to a record-setting season in 2007-08, with a second place showing at the 2008 Mid-American Conference Championship. The Green and White won a school-record four in-season tournaments. EMU won the Brickyard Invitational and the Shootout at the Legends that fall along with the Red Rocks Invitational and the EKU Spring Invitational in the spring.
Heading into the 2007-08 spring campaign, Eastern Michigan achieved its highest national ranking ever. The Eagles ranked 52nd according to the Oct. 17, 2007, release of the GolfStat head-to-head standings. EMU finished the season ranked 84th with a record of 148-84 in the May 5, 2008, release. Catherine Fortin also posted the lowest 18-hole average in school history at 74.96 strokes. That total eclipsed the previous best of 75.9 set by Fortin during the 2005-06 campaign. Also, Fleet posted an average of 75.54 that season, for the second-best mark in EMU history. For their efforts throughout the year, Fortin was named to the All-MAC first team while Fleet garnered second team All-MAC honors.
Selected as the 2006-07 MAC Coach of the Year, Wagner led the Eagles a runner-up showing at the Longaberger Golf Club with a three-day total of 1,252 (317-310-311-314). At the 2007 MAC Championship, Fortin finished in third place with a 304 (76-72-79-77) while Fleet placed eighth with a 312 (82-79-75-76). For their efforts, both golfers garnered first team All-MAC accolades.
Besides guiding the Green and White to a record-setting performance at the MAC Championships, Wagner propelled Eastern Michigan to three championships and a second place finish during the 2006-07 season.
In her first season in Ypsilanti, in 2005-06, Wagner improved the Eagles’ team score by 13.4 strokes a round (324.7 to 311.3). She also helped guide the squad to six individual top five and six rounds under par after none during the 2004-05 campaign. The team posted its first tournament victory since the 2002 season.
During Wagner’s tenure at EMU, academics have also played an important part of being a student-athlete. Following the 2009-10 campaign, Emily Podzielinski, Lina Pasquali, Marjorie Thuot and Sarah Johnson were each singled out by the National Golf Coaches Association as an All-American Scholar selection. The 2010-11 season saw five more Eagles be honored by the NGCA, as Meredith Fairbairn, Sarah Johnson, Alyssa Kwon, Usanee Laopattananont and Robyn Scott each took home the accolade. Kwon , Corey Crossan, Meredith Fairbairn and Karyn Lee Ping were added to the list following the 2012-13 campaign.
A Grand Rapids, Mich. native, Wagner is the fifth coach of the Eagles in the history of the program. She came to EMU after serving an assistant women’s golf coach at the University of Michigan for five years.
As a member of the Michigan women’s golf staff from 2000-05, Wagner helped the Wolverines appear in four NCAA Tournaments (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005). During her tenure the Wolverines also captured a runner-up spot in the 2005 Big Ten Championships. Wagner is a former member of the LPGA and teaches golf at Miles of Golf-Kendall Academy in Ann Arbor.
Prior to joining the U-M women’s golf staff, Wagner was a golf professional at Walton Golf Range (1996-99) in Pontiac and also at Willow Creek Golf and Sports Center (1998-2000) in Lake Orion. As a player she finished fourth at the 2000 state of Michigan Women’s Open, and also won the Red Holman Pro-Am tournament, shooting a one-under part 73 at Meadowbrook Country Club.
The 46-year-old Wagner (8-23-68) graduated from Ferris State University in 1991 after earning a bachelor’s degree in business management. She served as a three-year captain of the FSU softball team and also played on the basketball squad for one year.
THE SANDY WAGNER FILE
Full Name: Sandy Wagner
High School: Newaygo
College: Ferris State University - 1991; bachelor’s in business management
COACHING EXPERIENCE
YEAR SCHOOL JOB TITLE MAC FINISH HIGHLIGHTS
2013-14 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 3rd (9 teams) Ranked 11th in the WGCA’s All-Scholar Team GPA Awards
2012-13 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach t-2nd (9 teams) MAC Runner-up for a record sixth time in school-history
2011-12 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 4th (9 teams) Finished with the best four-player team average in team history
2010-11 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 2nd (9 teams) Selected MAC Coach of the Year; Sarah Johnson wins MAC title
2009-10 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 4th (9 teams) Finished with the best four-player team average in school-history
2008-09 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 2nd (9 teams) Team ranked 10th in the nation in total short game (.485 average)
2007-08 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 2nd (8 teams) Won a school-record four in-season tournaments; 307.1 averaged
2006-07 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 2nd (8 teams) Selected the MAC Coach of the Year; Won three in-season tourneys
2005-06 Eastern Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach 6th (8 teams) Improved the EMU team score by 13 strokes from a season earlier
2005 Miles of Golf-Kendall Academy Golf Professional
2004-05 University of Michigan Assistant Women’s Golf Coach Big Ten Conference Runner-Up; NCAA Tournament appearance
2003-04 University of Michigan Assistant Women’s Golf Coach NCAA Tournament appearance
2002-03 University of Michigan Assistant Women’s Golf Coach
2001-02 University of Michigan Assistant Women’s Golf Coach NCAA Tournament appearance
2000-01 University of Michigan Assistant Women’s Golf Coach NCAA Tournament appearance
1999-2000 Miles of Golf-Kendall Academy Golf Professional
1998-2000 Willow Creek Golf Golf Professional
1996-1999 Walton Golf Range - Pontiac Golf Professional
Caterina Don Receives ANWA Invitation
Friday, January 17
Getting to Know Head Women's Golf Coach Josh Brewer
Thursday, May 30
Women's Golf Wraps Up 2024 at MAC Championships
Tuesday, April 23
Anna Watson Previews the 2024 MAC Women's Golf Championships
Thursday, April 18
