COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University Athletics Department announced the hiring of Kristin Culpepper as the Head Women's Golf Coach on Monday, December 11.
"Our women's golf program has hit a grand slam with the hiring of Kristin Culpepper as our new head coach," said Interim Director of Athletics Jay Sparks. "Kristin was an outstanding golfer in her own right, but more importantly, her character is unquestioned, her professionalism is unparalleled, and her commitment and belief in CSU athletics is unbelievable. This was a 'no brainer' hire and I'm excited to see what type of instant impact Kristin has on our women's golf program."
A native of Port Charlotte, Fla., Culpepper is a two-time alumna of Columbus State, graduating with a bachelor of business management degree in human resources in 2013 and a master's degree in organizational leadership with a concentration in servant leadership in 2015. Culpepper was also a member of the women's golf team for two seasons before becoming a graduate assistant coach for another two seasons.
"I'm most excited about being able to return to my double alma mater and now coach the team that I was once a part of," said Culpepper. "It's also exciting to work alongside Jay Sparks who was the Athletic Director during my time as a student-athlete, as well as President Stuart Rayfield, who was one of the most influential professors I had during my masters program."
As a junior, Culpepper competed in nine tournaments for the Lady Cougars. She was able to obtain a tie for 6th place at the Montevallo Invitational, which was her best finish of the season, and her low round was a 74 at the Peach Belt Conference Championship. In her senior season, she recorded her second top-10 finish of her career at the TSYS Collegiate Classic, finishing tied for 6th place. Culpepper and the Lady Cougars reached a milestone in the 2012-13 season, ranking inside the top-25 of the Golf World Coaches' Poll for the first time in program history.
Prior to arriving to Columbus, Culpepper received an associate of arts degree in business from Seminole State College of Florida in 2011. During her time at Seminole State, she won the Most Improved Player award in both 2010 and 2011. In both seasons, the team advanced to nationals and placed fourth. She attended Lemon Bay High School in Englewood, Fla.
"I hope to build a positive and competitive team culture, improving all players' skills, while achieving success in tournaments and teaching the players everyday life lessons along the way," mentioned Culpepper. "And the obvious, win a national title!"
Culpepper recently worked as a Client Success Associate at Aspirion in Columbus. Her other job experiences include a Catalog Manager and Management Trainee at CINTAS, a Recruiting Specialist at Aflac, and a Program Coordinator onsite at Aflac at Randstad.
Culpepper resides in Columbus with her husband Cates, who is a CSU men's golf alum, and their two-year-old son, Kip.
