Kelly Gillum Smith Returns to Bobcat Golf as Assistant Coach
1/22/2020 10:06:00 AM | Women's Golf
Montana State golf head coach Brittany Basye announced on Wednesday that former program standout Kelly Gillum Smith has joined the coaching staff as an assistant.
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Montana State golf head coach Brittany Basye announced on Wednesday that former program standout Kelly Gillum Smith has joined the coaching staff as an assistant.
Gillum Smith completed her collegiate career in the spring of 2009 with a variety of accolades. She was named the 2008-09 Big Sky Conference Player of the Year, one of only two Montana State golfers to ever earn the award. Her senior year was highlighted by individual victories at the Red Rocks Invitational and the Cowgirl Invitational. Her scoring average that season of 76.79 strokes per round was the best mark in program history for six years and still ranks as the sixth-best average.
"Obviously I'm extremely excited to have Kelly back and involved with the program," Basye said. "To being a player of the year to the coaching side of it, she brings a lot to the table for us.
"Being a former student-athlete at Montana State, Kelly can relate to our current and incoming players. I believe she can use her experience to help propel our program, gain a trusting relationship with the players and learn from them as well, which will benefit her coaching career here at MSU."
Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, Gillum Smith is one of just three Bobcats to ever win multiple tournaments. She's tied for second all-time in top five finishes and holds the most Big Sky Golfer of the Week honors with four. A three-time all-conference selection, Gillum Smith had two top 10 finishes at the Big Sky Conference Championships during her collegiate career. Her best 18-hole round scores of 69 and 70 still rank among the best in program history, while she is currently listed with three of MSU's top 10 36-hole tournament scores and a top 20 54-hole tournament score.
"It's almost surreal to be back with the Bobcat family because I had such a great experience when I was here," Gillum Smith said. "I remember being in college and looking at Brittany and thinking this would be my dream job, so it's great to be back.
"Playing college golf is difficult at times, but it's an opportunity that I had the ability to take advantage of. It's a quick 4-5 years and it can be the best time of your life. Having the opportunity to travel, play golf and get an education at Montana State is a great experience. To be able to work with a team that I know a lot about is something I'm really looking forward to doing."
Gillum Smith previously served as a head coach at Colorado Christian for two years and has experience working as an assistant golf pro at various golf courses. She also had a brief stint assisting with the program in the early 2010s.
The Montana State golf team makes its 2020 debut on Feb. 22 when the Bobcats participate in the GCU Invitational hosted by Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Arizona.
Gillum Smith completed her collegiate career in the spring of 2009 with a variety of accolades. She was named the 2008-09 Big Sky Conference Player of the Year, one of only two Montana State golfers to ever earn the award. Her senior year was highlighted by individual victories at the Red Rocks Invitational and the Cowgirl Invitational. Her scoring average that season of 76.79 strokes per round was the best mark in program history for six years and still ranks as the sixth-best average.
"Obviously I'm extremely excited to have Kelly back and involved with the program," Basye said. "To being a player of the year to the coaching side of it, she brings a lot to the table for us.
"Being a former student-athlete at Montana State, Kelly can relate to our current and incoming players. I believe she can use her experience to help propel our program, gain a trusting relationship with the players and learn from them as well, which will benefit her coaching career here at MSU."
Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, Gillum Smith is one of just three Bobcats to ever win multiple tournaments. She's tied for second all-time in top five finishes and holds the most Big Sky Golfer of the Week honors with four. A three-time all-conference selection, Gillum Smith had two top 10 finishes at the Big Sky Conference Championships during her collegiate career. Her best 18-hole round scores of 69 and 70 still rank among the best in program history, while she is currently listed with three of MSU's top 10 36-hole tournament scores and a top 20 54-hole tournament score.
"It's almost surreal to be back with the Bobcat family because I had such a great experience when I was here," Gillum Smith said. "I remember being in college and looking at Brittany and thinking this would be my dream job, so it's great to be back.
"Playing college golf is difficult at times, but it's an opportunity that I had the ability to take advantage of. It's a quick 4-5 years and it can be the best time of your life. Having the opportunity to travel, play golf and get an education at Montana State is a great experience. To be able to work with a team that I know a lot about is something I'm really looking forward to doing."
Gillum Smith previously served as a head coach at Colorado Christian for two years and has experience working as an assistant golf pro at various golf courses. She also had a brief stint assisting with the program in the early 2010s.
The Montana State golf team makes its 2020 debut on Feb. 22 when the Bobcats participate in the GCU Invitational hosted by Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Arizona.
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