2009-10:Nicki Cutler, one of the cornerstone student-athletes that helped shape Vanderbilt women[apos]s golf into a national contender, is entering her third season as an assistant coach with the Commodores.
Cutler is no stranger to Vanderbilt women[apos]s golf, having played for the Commodores from 1999-2003, earning honorable mention All-America honors and twice making the All-Southeastern Conference team.
[quote]I[apos]m really excited about having a former player on board as our assistant coach,[quote] Allen says. [quote]Nicki was very instrumental during her Vanderbilt playing days helping Martha build this program. She is a great ambassador for this University and has a bright future in coaching. Our team is very fortunate to have her.[quote]
Cutler was a part of Coach Martha Richard[apos]s first recruiting class that helped propelled the budding program. She twice shot 67 in tournament play, once at the SEC Championship in 2002 and once at the Stanford-Pepsi Intercollegiate. Those rounds are just one stroke off the current school mark.
She also set a school record at the time with a 210 score over 54 holes at the Stanford tournament in 2002 and her 211 at the SEC Championship is one of three entries the Denver, Colo., native has among the current school Top 10 tournament achievements.
Cutler joins the program after having served as an instructor at the famous Maidstone Club in East Hampton, N.Y. She was a member of the LPGA Tour in 2005 and the Duramed Futures Tour in 2005 and 2006. Various injuries stymied her playing career.
Nicki gained a wealth of teaching experience with an internship with top-rated golf instructors Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson during the winters of 2003 and 2004.
[quote]Lynn and Pia have coached many of the top golfers in the world and their golf school in Phoenix has been rated as the best in the country,[quote] Cutler says. [quote]That experience helped prepare me to coach, a very special experience that will be most helpful here.[quote]
[quote]Greg and I are eager to take this team to the next level,[quote] Cutler says. [quote]Our goal is to be a perennial national championship contender.[quote]