MaryBeth McGirr was a pioneer for the UNCG women’s golf program, joining the staff first as a graduate assistant until the team was disbanded in 1978-79.
When the team was reinstated in 1990 as the athletic program moved into the NCAA Division I ranks, she was appointed the first full-time women’s golf coach and continued until the end of the 1995-96 year.
McGirr was an outstanding recruiter who built a top Division I golf program. During her six years of coaching at UNCG, the Blue & Gold won back-to-back championships in the Big South Conference in 1995 and 1996. She was named Big South Coach of the Year in both years.
In 1995, her team not only won the Big South Conference Championship, but also four of its five spring tournaments. The 1995 Spartans were the first women’s team to advance to NCAA competition at the Division I level.
McGirr is the only UNCG coach to have been awarded the prestigious LPGA Coach of the Year, earning the honor in 1995. She also was voted the 1995 NCGA Mid-Atlantic District Coach of the Year.
While McGirr was coach, Becky Morgan earned three Big South Golfer of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards. A total of 11 golfers were awarded All-Conference during her time at the helm.
She also coached the U.S. team against the Japanese in the Goodwill Tournament.
McGirr is happily retired at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club in Savannah, Georgia, and plays lots of golf and pickleball. She most recently completed a three-year stint on the club’s Board of Governors and now devotes her free time to The First Tee program and growing their girls' golf programs.
