Former UVA Golf standout Lauren Coughlin, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour, headlined a public exhibition match at Keswick Club on Wednesday.
Coughlin teamed with UVA Golf junior Mira Berglund to take on alum Lauren Greenleaf and UVA Golf sophomore Kennedy Swedick in the exhibition.
The media was invited to follow along, and after watching Coughlin on the practice tee, driving the ball to Culpeper, no chance I was passing up that opportunity.
Play began on the front nine, and after watching Coughlin effortlessly birdie both the first two holes at Keswick Club’s Full Cry course, I was convinced – she’s terrific.
Coughlin enjoyed a breakthrough season on the LPGA Tour in 2024, winning two tournaments and finishing as the No. 3 American golfer, as well as playing a key component on the victorious U.S. team in the Solheim Cup last fall.
Coughlin, earlier in the year, signed a deal with Keswick Club and sports the Keswick logo while playing.
A perfect fit.
Coughlin calls the area home after arriving on Grounds in 2011, and she doesn’t miss an opportunity to promote the club and UVA, which is predominant throughout the sprawling, magnificent Keswick Club grounds.
I had a chance to speak with Lauren before the exhibition began, and decided to try to have her share her thoughts on the current landscape of college sports – maybe, more specifically, about UVA’s recent massive investment in the football program.
And did she ever.
“Virginia is excellent in all sports; they take tremendous pride in that accomplishment. Just look at the Directors Cup standings,” said Coughlin.
“I get it, the investments are needed, and Virginia knows the importance of investing in sports.”
Coughlin holds a B.A. in psychology and a master’s in intercollegiate athletic administration from Virginia.
She interned under Gerry Capone, currently the associate athletics director for development, who goes out and brings back the cash.
Capone has been at UVA for 40 years.
It’s not surprising that Coughlin understands the importance of investing and the anticipated returns.
When the topic turned to the school’s recent boost in money being invested into football, Coughlin was all in.
“You know, football pays the bills, football and basketball help make the other sports strong. As a former athlete at Virginia, I’m thrilled to see it happening. It doesn’t just help the school and the teams; it plays a vital role in our entire community and economy,” she said.
Coughlin, as AFP has been writing about for years, understands what a half-empty or more, Scott Stadium does.
“You know you’re leaving millions of dollars on the table every game that the stadium is half empty. That’s money folks are willing to hand over to watch a good program, and we can’t afford not to fill it up,” said Coughlin.
“Alumni have a lot of pride in the school. Take the softball team; they used to play out in the middle of nowhere. Now, thanks to our alumni, we have a beautiful home stadium, and our program is one of the best in the ACC,” added Coughlin.
Wednesday’s event at the Keswick Club allowed me not only to speak with a former Virginia athlete but also with a very successful athlete who used UVA as a springboard to a solid professional career, one that did not enjoy the benefits of the pay-to-play era.
“I think it’s an excellent opportunity for athletes,” said Coughlin.
“Hey, isn’t college about taking the time to better yourself, and hopefully improve your chances to succeed in life?”
Hard to argue those points.
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