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Calle Nielson Named Assistant Women's Golf Coach
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Oct. 14, 2014 Charlottesville, Va. – Former Virginia All-American’s Calle Nielson has joined the Virginia women’s golf program as an assistant coach. She replaces Brian Bailie, who resigned this fall to pursue a career in golf instruction. Nielson played for Virginia from 2007 to 2011 and helped the Cavaliers to four consecutive top-15 finishes at the NCAA Championships.
Nielson served in a temporary role as an assistant coach for the Cavaliers during the 2012 NCAA Championships when Bailie was unable to travel with the team due to a family matter.
“Calle is an excellent addition to our staff,” said Virginia coach Kim Lewellen. “She brings a lot of experience and knowledge about our program having been a three-time All-American here. She’s played on the professional level and has excelled as a top amateur competitor, so she brings a well-rounded resume with her. Knowing our program, community, University and alumni, she will be a great ambassador for Virginia golf.”
Nielson won three tournaments during her Virginia career including the 2010 NCAA West Regional title. She had 17 top-10 finishes as a collegiate and her best outing in four NCAA Championship appearances was a sixth-place finish in 2009 as a sophomore.
“I’m glad to be back. This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Nielson said. “I wanted to go out and play professionally and get that experience and then have a chance to coach. I’m so excited the opportunity is here at Virginia. I could not ask for a better person to work for than Kim Lewellen. I loved playing for her and I’m looking forward to learning the coaching ropes from her because she is one of the best.”
Three times (2009-2011) she was named an honorable mention All-American by the National Golf Coaches Association. She was tabbed a third-team All-American by Golfweek in 2009 and picked up honorable mention All-America honors by the publication in 2010 and 2011. She earned All-ACC honors during each of her four seasons at Virginia.
A native of Nashville, Tenn., Nielson graduated from Virginia in 2011 with a degree in sociology. She played professionally on the Symetra Tour in 2012 and 2013. She has qualified for the U.S. Amateur four times (2007, 2009-2011) and has been named the Tennessee Women’s Amateur Player of the Year four times (2008-2011), won the 2010 Tennessee Women’s Amateur and the 2011 Women’s Southern Amateur.