LITTLE ROCK – Little Rock golf will be without a fixture in the program next season as women's head coach
Bridgett Norwood today announced her retirement after being a part of the Little Rock golf program for over 25 years.
Norwood has served as the head coach of the Trojan women's golf program since 2003 and has been associated with the department since the program started in 1992, serving in both an assistant coach and volunteer assistant role. During her time with the Trojans, Norwood has helped mentor nearly two dozen All-Sun Belt Conference players.
"This has been one of the greatest experiences of my life to be able to be a part of this program and coach these young women," Norwood said. "I'm incredibly grateful I was given this opportunity, to be able to build those relationships, and this decision is very bitter sweet. But Little Rock Athletics will always be a special place for me."
Under Norwood's guidance, Little Rock captured 11 team tournament championships and 19 individual tournament titles, including three Sun Belt Conference tournament champions in Mallory Fraiche (2009),
Stina Resen (2015) and
Shania Berger (2016).
26 of Norwood's golfers picked up All-Sun Belt Conference honors, including 23 of which were first team honorees. Additionally, she recruited and mentored the 2015 Sun Belt Conference Golfer (
Stina Resen) and Freshman (
Sabrina Bonanno) of the Year, as well as All-American Sara Wikstrom, the first Trojan women's golfer to enter the Little Rock Hall of Fame.
"I am personally grateful for the many years of service Bridgett has given to our golf program," said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics
Chasse Conque. "Over the years, she has not only grown our women's golf program, but she has made a significant impact on our young women and their families. The Norwoods are synonymous with Little Rock golf and this department will forever be grateful for their many contributions."
As a team, Norwood's squads saw great strides as it developed into a team that consistently remained in the mix in tournaments across the country. Taking over a team with a 314.60 scoring average in 2003, Little Rock continued to improve on that mark, culminating with a program-record 301.39 scoring average in 2014-15 – over 14 strokes better than when she took over as head coach.
Little Rock finished in the top-five at the Sun Belt Conference Championship 10 times from 2003-2019, including runner-up finishes in both 2008 and 2009 while placing third in 2010, 2011 and 2015. During Norwood's time as head coach, Little Rock finished in the top-10 among the team standings in nearly 80 percent of the tournaments it competed in.
The Trojans have not only been successful on the golf course, but in the classroom as well. Little Rock regularly has been recognized by the Women's Golf Coaches Association for its academic accomplishments, placing five Trojans on the All-American Scholars Team four times in the last five seasons.
The honor was highlighted in 2016-176 when Little Rock was honored for having the nation's 10th-highest GPA among all women's golf programs, posting a 3.90 in the fall 2016 semester.
Additionally, Norwood has been an instrumental part in the success of the Trojans' annual Little Rock Women's Golf Classic at Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs Village. A tournament that routinely is referred to as one of the favorites by opposing teams, Norwood organizes the effort which involves dozens of area volunteers, as well as host families for the competing teams to stay with during the tournament.
Norwood will remain a vital part of the annual tournament in Hot Springs Village, continuing to serve as the tournament's director. She and her husband Wyn, Little Rock's former men's coach and Trojan Hall of Fame inductee, will continue in their roles as ambassadors for the Little Rock golf program.
Norwood has been active in the Arkansas women's golf circle for more than 25 years, including serving on the Executive Committee of the Arkansas Women's Golf Association. She bolsters an impressive playing career herself as past champion at both North Hills Country Club and Chenal Country Club, where she claimed the title in 1997, 2000 and 2001.
A nationwide search for Little Rock's next head women's golf coach will commence immediately.
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