MARYVILLE – Katie Brinker has been named the first head coach dedicated entirely to the Maryville College women's golf program. She begins on June 17.
"We are so excited to have Katie join our program as the first-ever full-time coach for the women's golf program," Maryville Director of Athletics
Sara Quatrocky said. "She impressed us with her ability to connect with students and her desire to change their lives through the sport of golf.
"We look forward to her building a culture these women can be proud of while they are here competing for the Scots and long after as alums."
Brinker comes to Maryville after spending the last year as head coach of both the high school and middle school girls and boys programs at Concord Christian School in Lenoir City. She also has been the head golf professional at Dead Horse Lake Golf Course in Knoxville since September.
She has been the University of Tennessee Program Director of the Grads to Golf Program, helping graduate students learn the basics of golf including rules, etiquette and swing techniques for their future in business. Brinker hopes to begin this program at Maryville College for business students.
"Katie is a proven winner," Quatrocky said. "She has instant success wherever she goes, and we look forward to her injecting her knowledge and passion into our program. Her level of professionalism is something we are thrilled to have joining our department and representing us in the community."
Indiana Native Saw Incredible Success
A native of Indianapolis, Brinker played her collegiate golf at Franklin College in her home state. She was the 2007 and 2008 Ping Division III National Player of the Year for the Grizzlies and in 2018 was inducted into the Franklin College Hall of Fame.
"I am incredibly excited to join the Maryville College family as the Head Women's Golf Coach and am so grateful to join this impressive staff and coaches," Brinker said. "It is an honor to work with such a talented group of student-athletes.
"My goal is to build a solid foundation and to guide our team to success both on and off the course. I look forward to fostering a culture of excellence, teamwork, and sportsmanship."
Brinker was a five-time medalist at the LPGA Amateur Stroke Play Championship between 2014 and 2021, and then in 2022 was runner-up at the LPGA Professionals National Championship. She also was inducted in 2021 into the IHSGA Hall of Fame.
She started playing golf when she was 4 and played competitively in middle school, high school, college and overseas. She has a competitive spirit but also sees value in the life lessons of honesty, integrity and patience that golf teaches.
"I am eager to bring my expertise and enthusiasm for DIII golf to the team," Brinker said. "The chance to strategize, guide practices and witness the team's progress firsthand fuels my passion for the sport and commitment to excellence."
Brinker has a desire to grow the game and has done so at Concord Christian, helping her golfers break team and individual records. She has been a private golf instructor, running Katie Brinker Golf since 2021 with a primary focus on playing lessons and developing course management strategies as well as improving swing techniques.
Brinker graduated from Franklin College with a degree in business with a marketing concentration. She and her husband, Zach, live in Knoxville with their son, Nolan.
