TEMPE, Ariz. - After seven extremely successful seasons as a member of the coaching staff of her alma mater, Sun Devil Women's Golf Associate Head Coach Michelle Estill has announced her retirement from Arizona State.
An Assistant Coach of the 2017 National Championship team, Estill has been an integral part of maintaining the elite status of the Sun Devil Women's Golf program.
"I am so grateful for the opportunity Coach Missy Farr-Kaye and Arizona State University has given me for the last seven years," Estill reflected. "I bleed Maroon and Gold and will be a Sun Devil for Life. I feel fortunate to be a part of the tradition and excellence of the Sun Devil Women's Golf program and work in this amazing athletic department. I have learned so much about coaching under the leadership of Coach Farr-Kaye, but more importantly, she's helped me grow as a person. I'm thankful for all the student-athletes who let me be a part of their journey. They had an extremely positive impact on my life. I made some wonderful memories that I will cherish forever."
Estill was hired in November of 2016 and the decision immediately paid off, as she helped Arizona State win the 2017 NCAA title later that year. Her first four years were spent as an assistant before being promoted to Associate Head Coach in June of 2020, a position she held for the past three years. Working side-by-side with Head Coach and former teammate Missy Farr-Kaye, the two formed a dynamic duo that created a culture allowing student-athletes to thrive on and off the course.
"Michelle has given Sun Devil Golf and Sun Devil Athletics everything," Coach Farr-Kaye exclaimed. "Not only for the past 6-plus years, but also as an alumna and Sun Devil for Life. I am very grateful for the time, passion, knowledge and care that she has provided to Sun Devil Women's Golf! Michelle made significant contributions to our many successes including winning the NCAA Championship in 2017 and played a huge role in the individual success of many, on the course, in the classroom, and as a friend. As an alumna to our program, her passion has and always will be inspiring and we look forward to her walking the local fairways and remaining a big part of the golf community at various levels. We all wish Michelle all the best in her retirement from coaching at Arizona State and thank her for everything she has done."
In Estill's seven-year tenure, Arizona State has been one of the most successful programs in the country. Since her arrival in the midst of the 2016-17 season, Sun Devil Women's Golf has been a premiere destination for the top amateur golfers. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Estill and company, ASU now competes in the top collegiate golf facility in the nation. Here is a look at some of the major accomplishments in Tempe during the Estill era:
Not only will Estill be remembered as one of the best coaches to ever don the Maroon & Gold, she has already cemented a legacy as one of the top golfers in school history. Estill starred at ASU from 1986-89, helping elevate the program nationally playing under Hall of Fame Coach Linda Vollstedt. She was the runner-up at the 1986 NCAA Championships, with the Sun Devils finishing fourth as a team. ASU finished in the Top-10 three of the four years that Estill competed. In addition to her outstanding play on the course, she was an Academic All-American. She graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Management in 1989.
After graduating from ASU, Estill enjoyed a long and decorated professional career. She made headlines with a spectacular debut season on Tour, leading to her being named the 1991 LPGA Rolex Rookie of the Year. She posted four top-20 finishes the following year. She's made many contributions to the association and to the game, as a playing member from 1991-2006, as well as serving on the LPGA Board of Directors and Executive Committee (1996-98) and as President (1998). Estill continued playing while serving as an assistant, recently qualifying for and competing in the 2021 U.S. Senior Women's Open.
Because of her significant contributions over the past 30+ years, Estill will forever be a part of the unrivaled history and tradition of the Sun Devil Women's Golf program.
"I will miss everyone in the Sun Devil Family, but I am excited for the next chapter of my life," Estill added. "I look forward to being home closer to family and enjoying this time of my life. Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my career. The future of this program is extremely bright and I am excited to see what this group will accomplish."
WHAT'S NEXT
Current Sun Devils will be competing all over the globe throughout the summer as they continue to work on their game. Several former Sun Devils are enjoying productive seasons while competing on the top professional tours. Stay tuned for updates on the Sun Devil Women's Golf offseason.
2023 NCAA WOMEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Arizona State and the Thunderbirds will host the NCAA Men's and Women's Golf Championships for the third consecutive year, taking place at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale May 19-31. This is the final of successful three-year run as the host school of the most prestigious event in all of college golf. Don't miss your last chance to check out the top individuals and teams in the nation square off for the ultimate prize in your own backyard. Here are the 30 teams and six individuals that advanced from each regional:
HOW TO FOLLOW
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).
An Assistant Coach of the 2017 National Championship team, Estill has been an integral part of maintaining the elite status of the Sun Devil Women's Golf program.
"I am so grateful for the opportunity Coach Missy Farr-Kaye and Arizona State University has given me for the last seven years," Estill reflected. "I bleed Maroon and Gold and will be a Sun Devil for Life. I feel fortunate to be a part of the tradition and excellence of the Sun Devil Women's Golf program and work in this amazing athletic department. I have learned so much about coaching under the leadership of Coach Farr-Kaye, but more importantly, she's helped me grow as a person. I'm thankful for all the student-athletes who let me be a part of their journey. They had an extremely positive impact on my life. I made some wonderful memories that I will cherish forever."
Estill was hired in November of 2016 and the decision immediately paid off, as she helped Arizona State win the 2017 NCAA title later that year. Her first four years were spent as an assistant before being promoted to Associate Head Coach in June of 2020, a position she held for the past three years. Working side-by-side with Head Coach and former teammate Missy Farr-Kaye, the two formed a dynamic duo that created a culture allowing student-athletes to thrive on and off the course.
"Michelle has given Sun Devil Golf and Sun Devil Athletics everything," Coach Farr-Kaye exclaimed. "Not only for the past 6-plus years, but also as an alumna and Sun Devil for Life. I am very grateful for the time, passion, knowledge and care that she has provided to Sun Devil Women's Golf! Michelle made significant contributions to our many successes including winning the NCAA Championship in 2017 and played a huge role in the individual success of many, on the course, in the classroom, and as a friend. As an alumna to our program, her passion has and always will be inspiring and we look forward to her walking the local fairways and remaining a big part of the golf community at various levels. We all wish Michelle all the best in her retirement from coaching at Arizona State and thank her for everything she has done."
In Estill's seven-year tenure, Arizona State has been one of the most successful programs in the country. Since her arrival in the midst of the 2016-17 season, Sun Devil Women's Golf has been a premiere destination for the top amateur golfers. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Estill and company, ASU now competes in the top collegiate golf facility in the nation. Here is a look at some of the major accomplishments in Tempe during the Estill era:
- 2017 National Championship (Eighth in program history; first since 2009)
- Monica Vaughn 2017 NCAA individual champion (10th in program history; first since 2008)
- Signed Golfweek's No. 1 rated recruiting class in 2022
- 15 Team Championships (2017 Regional Title)
- 13 Individual Championships
- 2017 Honda Award Winner Monica Vaughn (National Player of the Year)
- 2 ANNIKA Award Finalists (National Player of the Year)
- 12 All-Americans
- 20 Academic All-Americans
- 2019 Pac-12 Individual Medalist Olivia Mehaffey
- 2017 Pac-12 Golfer of the Year Monica Vaughn
- 19 Pac-12 All-Conference selections
- 3 Pac-12 Scholar Athletes of the Year (Roberta Liti, 2018; Olivia Mehaffey, 2021; Alexandra Forsterling, 2022)
- 25 Pac-12 Academic All-Conference selections
- 10 Sun Devils have gone on to play professionally
- 5 Palmer Cup participants
Not only will Estill be remembered as one of the best coaches to ever don the Maroon & Gold, she has already cemented a legacy as one of the top golfers in school history. Estill starred at ASU from 1986-89, helping elevate the program nationally playing under Hall of Fame Coach Linda Vollstedt. She was the runner-up at the 1986 NCAA Championships, with the Sun Devils finishing fourth as a team. ASU finished in the Top-10 three of the four years that Estill competed. In addition to her outstanding play on the course, she was an Academic All-American. She graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Management in 1989.
After graduating from ASU, Estill enjoyed a long and decorated professional career. She made headlines with a spectacular debut season on Tour, leading to her being named the 1991 LPGA Rolex Rookie of the Year. She posted four top-20 finishes the following year. She's made many contributions to the association and to the game, as a playing member from 1991-2006, as well as serving on the LPGA Board of Directors and Executive Committee (1996-98) and as President (1998). Estill continued playing while serving as an assistant, recently qualifying for and competing in the 2021 U.S. Senior Women's Open.
Because of her significant contributions over the past 30+ years, Estill will forever be a part of the unrivaled history and tradition of the Sun Devil Women's Golf program.
"I will miss everyone in the Sun Devil Family, but I am excited for the next chapter of my life," Estill added. "I look forward to being home closer to family and enjoying this time of my life. Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my career. The future of this program is extremely bright and I am excited to see what this group will accomplish."
WHAT'S NEXT
Current Sun Devils will be competing all over the globe throughout the summer as they continue to work on their game. Several former Sun Devils are enjoying productive seasons while competing on the top professional tours. Stay tuned for updates on the Sun Devil Women's Golf offseason.
2023 NCAA WOMEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Arizona State and the Thunderbirds will host the NCAA Men's and Women's Golf Championships for the third consecutive year, taking place at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale May 19-31. This is the final of successful three-year run as the host school of the most prestigious event in all of college golf. Don't miss your last chance to check out the top individuals and teams in the nation square off for the ultimate prize in your own backyard. Here are the 30 teams and six individuals that advanced from each regional:
HOW TO FOLLOW
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).