Anne Kelly To Retire Following The 2023-24 Season

BOULDER — A staple of women’s golf in the state of Colorado – and women’s intercollegiate athletics in general – is set to call it a career this spring.
 
Long-time University of Colorado head women’s golf coach Anne Kelly will retire at the end of the 2023-24 season, the school announced on Monday.
 
Currently in her 27^th season as Colorado’s head coach, Kelly is just the second to hold that position full time in the 30-year history of the program, taking over for Justi Miller ahead of the 1997-98 season. Kelly is the second-longest tenured current head coach at Colorado, trailing only cross country/track & field head coach Mark Wetmore.
 
Kelly is the longest-tenured female head coach in Colorado Athletics history and ranks seventh overall.
 
“I have made a personal decision to bow out as head coach of CU women’s golf at the end of this season,” Kelly said. “It’s a difficult choice because I absolutely cherish our team, this job, and love the University of Colorado! I feel so blessed and grateful to have served in this position for 27 years. 
 
“It’s not easy to let go, but all good things come to an end and the time is right for me to say farewell. It’s a difficult, emotional decision, but I feel confident about where the program is headed. The time is right for me to hand off the program and become CU golf’s biggest fan.”
 
Kelly has led Colorado to eight NCAA Regional appearances and two NCAA Championship events; all coming in the second half of her illustrious career in Boulder (since 2009). In addition, she has coached five individuals to solo appearances at NCAA Regionals.
 
Nine Colorado golfers have earned All-American honors under the tutelage of Kelly while 15 have made all-conference teams spanning both the Big 12 and Pac-12.
 
“I’m proud of our accomplishments and growth, but primarily proud of so many of the young women who have played for Colorado and the amazing, successful and caring adults they have become,” Kelly said. “That is the true success that I will always cherish.”
 
Under Kelly, the Buffaloes have a track record of sustained excellence in the classroom. Kelly has coached 24 Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-America Scholars while 84 student-athletes – an average of more than three per year – have received season academic honors at the conference level.

“I’m so…