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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Drinkard, Rebels Agree On Contract Extension
8/17/2009 | Women's Golf
Drinkard's existing contract will be extended until 2012.
"The women's golf team has made great strides under Drinkard," said executive associate athletics director Lynnette Johnson. "In two years they've returned to postseason play, won a tournament and earned many individual accomplishments. In addition, their success in the classroom has been nothing short of outstanding. Coach Drinkard has guided the program in the direction we want, and we are only going to get better."
In just her second season, Drinkard guided the Rebels to their first NCAA Regional bid since 2004 and the program's first tournament (Johnie Imes Invitational) title since that year. The Rebels turned in five top-five finishes and placed seventh at the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Seven conference teams finished the year ranked in the Top 25.
Under the tutelage of Drinkard, Dori Carter became the first All-American in the history of the program as well as the first player to receive All-SEC first team honors more than once. In addition, Carter became the first player to win an individual tournament title since 1999, capturing the Rebel Intercollegiate
Off the course, the Rebels received the Chancellor's Cup for the highest cumulative grade point average among all women's varsity sports at Ole Miss. Three players earned National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Scholar-Athlete honors.
"I'm very appreciative of the commitment and the confidence that Lynnette Johnson and Pete Boone have shown in me," Drinkard said. "The first two years we have laid the foundation to establishing ourselves as an elite golf program, and I look forward to stepping up to the fun challenges that lay ahead of us this year."
Ole Miss kicks off the 2009-10 season Sept. 6-8 at the Hooter's Collegiate Match Play.
The Rebels will be led this fall by senior Sara Grantham, who has had an excellent summer. She advanced to match play at the U.S. Amateur, the U.S. Public Links Amateur and the Southern Amateur and reached the semifinals at the Alabama State Amateur.