BYU golf: Nyhus steps down as coach

PROVO — BYU head women's golf coach Sue Billek Nyhus today announced she is resigning her position at the University effective immediately.

"I'm grateful for the chance I've had to coach at BYU for the past 11 seasons. I'm honored to be one of a select few who have been fortunate enough to be an athlete, a coach and a BYU Hall of Fame inductee," said Nyhus. "I want to express appreciation to my assistant coaches and the student-athletes I've had the opportunity to coach."

After three seasons as an assistant coach, Nyhus took over the BYU program in July 2001, following the retirement of long-time coach Gary Howard. In eight seasons she guided the women's golf team to six regional and two NCAA Championship appearances, finishing 17th in 2007. Nyhus coached seven NGCA All-American Scholar Athletes and two NGCA All-Americans. She was named Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2007.

"We appreciate Sue's service to BYU," said BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe. "Her teams have enjoyed success, and we appreciate her concern for the student-athletes. We wish her all the best in the future."

Nyhus played golf for the Cougars from 1981-85, where she was named Academic All-American in 1985. She later went on to play five years of professional golf on the European Tour. Nyhus won the Utah State Women's Amateur in 1985 and 1989. She was named the UGA Player of the Year in 1999, the first female to win the award.

Robbie Bosco, director of the BYU Varsity Club, will oversee the women's golf program on an interim basis until a search for a new head coach can be properly administered. The women's golf team opens the 2010 season at The Gold Rush at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, Calif., on Feb. 8-9.