The University of South Carolina Beaufort has named former Southern Methodist University golfer and current professional player Alexis Bennett as its women’s golf coach, the school announced last week.

[caption id="attachment_12551" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Sports-Alexis_Bennett.jpeg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-12551" alt="Alexis Bennett" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Sports-Alexis_Bennett-150x150.jpeg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Alexis Bennett[/caption]

Bennett replaces Lindy LaBauve, who resigned in May after two seasons to accept a position as a teaching apprentice at the Lodge at Sea Island in St. Simon’s, Ga. Like LaBauve, Bennett comes to USCB after a successful playing career at an NCAA Division I program. She was a two-time National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar while playing at SMU and has spent the past two years playing professionally on the LPGA Symetra Tour and the Canadian Women’s Tour. She also has experience as an assistant golf coach at Rockford (Ill.) Lutheran High School in her hometown and as assistant program director of TGA Premier Junior Golf in Dallas.

“We’re thrilled to add Alexis to the Sand Shark family,” Director of Athletics Quin Monahan said. “During her visit to campus, there was overwhelming agreement that she is a natural fit for our department and will be an excellent coach and mentor for our young women’s golfers.”

In addition to her coaching duties, Bennett will serve as assistant director of athletic marketing, a role in which she will utilize her undergraduate degree in marketing and minor in advertising, which she earned from SMU in May 2011.

“I have to thank Mr. Monahan and the search committee for this unbelievable opportunity,” Bennett said. “USCB women’s golf has already experienced tremendous growth and achievement, and I’m honored to have been chosen as coach LaBauve’s successor. I can’t wait to arrive on campus and join the Sand Shark family.”

The Sand Sharks return five players from last year’s team that finished third in the Sun Conference Championships and 15th in the NAIA National Championships, including three — senior Kendra Collins, junior Victoria DeGroodt and junior Samantha O’Donnell — who competed at nationals.

USCB has qualified for the NAIA National Championships four straight years.