CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois women's golf head coach Renee Slone is pleased to announce the addition of Julie Hovland to her staff. Hovland spent the previous season as a graduate assistant at her alma mater, the University of South Alabama.
"I am very excited to welcome Julie Hovland to the Illini Athletics family," Slone said. "She will be a terrific addition to our coaching staff. Julie was fortunate to be given a number of responsibilities in her graduate assistant role to enhance her coaching experience and gain a wealth of knowledge that will serve our program well. After speaking with others in the coaching community, I quickly learned she possesses some special attributes. She will connect with our team members immediately and be a terrific resource for them."
A four-year letterwinner at South Alabama from 2017-21, Hovland ended her collegiate career as one of the most decorated players in program history. She became the first Jaguar to be named Sun Belt Conference Women's Golfer of the Year in 2021, earning two medalist honors during the season to go along with five Top 5 finishes. Hovland also became the first golfer to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Regional Championship in program history. During her senior campaign, Hovland set program records for lowest 54-hole tournament score (-12, 204), birdies in a tournament (19) and matched a program record by firing a 66 at the USA Intercollegiate.
In her one season as a graduate assistant, Hovland helped guide the Jaguars to one tournament victory to go along with five Top 5 finishes as a team. She also coached two individual medalists on the season as well.
"I could not be more excited to join the Illinois women's golf program," Hovland said. "It will be an honor to join Coach Slone and Coach Gentile in building on their successes. I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to helping the players and the program reach their full potential."
A native of Bergen, Norway, Hovland attended WANG Toppidrett Oslo and was a member at Oslo Golf Club. She helped the club win junior Norwegian titles in 2016 and 2017, and a senior title in 2016. Hovland was an individual medalist three times while with Oslo and placed fifth at the 2016 Junior Norwegian Championship.
