Shocking as it is that Sue Ewart would step down now when the Long Beach State women’s golf program is on the up-and-up, there were rumblings that this would happen. 

Here’s the report from the LBSU Sports Information Department, and stay tuned to LBPostSports.com for more on the search for Ewart’s replacement…

Director of athletics Vic Cegles announced today that after 13 seasons Sue Ewart has decided to step down as the head women’s golf coach at Long Beach State. Ewart will continue to work with the golf program in a part-time capacity.

“I want to thank Sue for her dedication and leadership in developing an outstanding women’s golf program,” Cegles said. “While it is an unhappy day for our student-athletes and alumnae, we are thrilled she will remain with the program.”

Ewart’s run as head coach came to an end after one of the finest seasons in school history. She was named the Big West Conference Coach of the Year after leading The Beach to its first ever Big West Conference Championship and a spot in the NCAA Regional Tournament in Tempe, Ariz. Two of her golfers, Kay Hoey and Lee Lopez earned first-team All-Big West honors, while Lopez was also named the league’s freshman of the year.

“After much consideration I have decided to step down as the head women’s golf coach,” Ewart said. “I will be taking on a new role assisting both the men’s and women’s golf programs. I look forward to this opportunity as this will allow me to spend more time with my family and to play the sport that I love. It’s been a great 13 years and I have enjoyed my time as head coach at LBSU influencing the lives of many fine young ladies over the course of my career.”

During her career at LBSU, Ewart led the 49ers to two appearances in the NCAA Tournament and earned Big West Conference Coach of the Year recognition twice (2005 and 2009). She coached Hoey to a pair of Big West Conference Golfer of the Year Awards, as well as a pair of All-America honors and a Big West individual title in 2007. Ewart also coached Hoey to Big West Conference Freshman of the Year honors, one of two freshman of the year Ewart coached. Overall, Ewart coached 32 players to all-conference recognition with 12 of them earning first-team honors.

Ewart’s players excelled in the classroom as well, with 32 earning All-Big West Student-Athlete honors, eight claiming Academic All-America status and one (Hayley Wilkinson) winning the NGCA Kim Moore Spirit Award.  In 1997, Ewart was inducted into the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame.