UK Athletics Photo
The first time I met Bettie Lou Evans was many years ago when she was playing in the Tee Cup Invitational.
I remember how impressed I was not only with her golf game but also her overall charisma and personality. She was just a fun person to be around and never failed to stop and talk to me any time I saw her.
The former University of Kentucky’s women’s golf coach died Tuesday. She was known by many as the “mother” of Kentucky women’s golf because she coached the team 1979 to 2001. After that she was director of golf operations for the men’s and women’s teams for the next 17 years.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Bettie Lou Evans, who played such a tremendous role in the development of golf in our commonwealth,” said UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart in a release from UK. “From her days as a student-athlete at Transylvania, to her four decades at UK, to the time she invested in the golfing community, Bettie Lou’s name is synonymous with the sport.
“In addition to loving the game, she loved teaching and caring for the young people on her teams. That was in great evidence two years ago, when she was inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame, and so many of her former players came out to support and congratulate her. Our heartfelt sympathies are with (husband) Stan and their family and friends.”
She touched so many lives and not just those at Kentucky. She was very well respected in the golfing world across the state because of her charm and golfing knowledge. She was a member of the Women’s Kentucky State Golf Association’s Board of Directors and then president of the group.
Evans got UK to the NCAA Championships five times and three times the Cats placed in the top 10, including a fifth-place finish in 1986. She coached two All-Americans, six All-Southeastern Conference first team players, four All-SEC second team players and five Academic All-Americans during her 23 seasons as UK’s coach.
In 1997, she was inducted into the National Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and in 2021, she was inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame. She also is a member of the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame and the Transylvania University Sports Hall of Fame, her alma mater.
Rest in peace Bettie Lou Evans for all you did to help so many and bless so many of us with your presence.
One Response
Bettie Lou was a phenomenal lady. She always remember ed everyone’s name. I enjoyed playing in many of the Lady Cats Golf Outings over the years. She will be sorely missed. RIP
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