SAN ANTONIO –University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Athletic Director Richard Duran has tabbed Aimee Ponte as the head women's golf coach, he announced Friday. Ponte served as the interim head coach during the 2021-22 season. She originally joined the women's golf staff as an assistant coach in November 2019.
 
"This was an exciting year for our women's golf program and Coach Ponte has been there to guide us through it all," says UIW Athletic Director Richard Duran. "We are coming off of our most successful season as a program on and off the golf course. As the interim coach, Ponte has showcased her hard work and dedication to the university mission, which led our student-athletes to excel in the classroom, in the community and in competition. I look forward to continuing to work with her as she continues to elevate our women's golf program."
 
As interim head coach during the 2021-22 season, Ponte led the team to new records. UIW won the New Mexico State Aggie Invitational, marking the program's first tournament victory in Division I history. She also guided the Cardinals to a second-place finish at the Southland Conference (SLC) Championship, another best. Ellen Nicholas won the individual title at the SLC Championship as she became the first UIW women's golfer in program history to advance to the NCAA Regionals.
 
"I am so grateful to be continuing my time at UIW," Ponte added. "I would like to thank Richard Duran and UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans for this incredible opportunity. UIW is a special place, and every year it reaches new heights. The women's golf program has come a long way in the last few years, and I am fortunate to have been part of it. Last season was record breaking for the program and I'm excited to see what's in store this season for this talented group."
 
All five Cardinals earned SLC All-Conference honors for their efforts during the 2021-22 season. Ponte now tops the record book in several categories as the team finished the season with 339 birdies and seven eagles. 

During her first year as an assistant coach (2019-20), Ponte helped the team to four top 10 finishes. She helped lead Lauren Mancha to her first collegiate individual win at the Islander Classic in February. Ponte also assisted with record-breaking low scores, including Mancha (69), Nicholas (68), and Gracie Aday (69). She worked with the team in academics as well, with Aday being named to the Southland Conference All-Academic Team.
 
Ponte came to the UIW following more than two years as an assistant golf professional at the Oak Hills Country Club. While there, she created lesson plans for both individuals and groups, supervised and trained golf shop and outside service staff, and assisted the head golf professional with inventory and merchandise duties.
 
Additionally, Ponte was enrolled in the PGA program at the qualifying level. She was a member of the women's golf team at UTSA from August 2013-17 where she competed in 28 events.
 
The St. Peter Port, United Kingdom, native graduated from UTSA with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology, Health and Sports Psychology in December 2017.
 
What they are saying
Dr. Charles Burch
President at Texas IPS
"I have known Aimee Ponte for the last five years. She will represent UIW with the highest character and is an inspiring leader. She has an engaging presence and brings the best out of her student-athletes. Great leaders are inspiring, supportive, empathetic, and possess integrity, and Aimee embodies all these traits. I am excited to see the great heights that Aimee will lead the UIW women's golf program to."
 
Beth Noteware
Senior Academic Counselor at UTSA
"UIW could not have found a better person than Aimee Ponte to lead their women's golf program. Having a front row seat to watch Aimee grow as a person, a student, and a golfer since she was a freshman at UTSA was a privilege. She knows the ups and downs of the college experience and that there are moments of struggle, from a tough class to a nagging injury, but I know she will help guide her student-athletes through the tough times and help them come out even stronger. She will do an outstanding job of helping develop her UIW student-athletes into the best students, teammates, golfers and overall people that they can be."
 
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