Cates takes reigns of inaugural program

New women's golf coach Angie Cates is not treating team like a first year program

By Maggie Thach

Golf has always been a staple in the Cates family. No weekend away or family vacation has ever been taken without at least one set of golf clubs on hand.

“I couldn’t have even imagined going anywhere without our golf clubs,” said Angie Cates, the head coach of Fresno State’s new women’s golf team.

For Cates and her sister Jennifer, golf was something they did from the time they could walk. It was a legacy passed down from her parents and grandparents. It was just something that was always around. But it was Angie who has made a career of it.

Cates played college golf at Washington State and played professionally for a year and a half before becoming an associate producer for the Golf Channel. Working at the Golf Channel allowed her to meet new people and see what it took to play at a professional level. With her experience and knowledge of the sport, Cates decided to take her life in a different direction.

“Playing professional golf got lonely at times,” Cates said. “I became a different person. It was a different life and it was difficult.”

But Cates was not prepared to give up her lifelong passion. She said her life would be empty without golf. Unable to leave the game she’s known all her life, Cates turned her focus to other outlets, and coaching just happened to fall into her lap.

“I never thought I’d become a coach,” Cates said. “But my mother always said, ‘Sometimes, on your way to a dream, you get lost and find another one.’ ”

Cates landed at Oregon State and was vicariously living out her dreams through her players. She saw potential in people and was able to help mold them into better golfers. While an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s golf teams at Oregon State, Cates was able to help them both to the NCAA Regionals in 2003.

Later that year, Cates got an opportunity she said she just couldn’t pass up when she was offered the head coaching position of a brand new program at Fresno State.

“Fresno has so much to offer,” Cates said. “There are great golf courses, and we get 100 percent community support. I think this is something the Valley has been waiting for.”

Cates is dedicated to building a successful program and she said she has no problem letting people know it.

“It’s really important to have a good first year because it’s going to affect our next recruiting class,” Cates said. “As a coach, and as a team, the bar is set high. We’re not treating this like a first year.”

This is evident through the goals the team has in mind for its introductory season. Despite predictions that her first year will be her building year, Cates is determined to prove them wrong, setting a goal for her team to make it to the postseason.

Cates’ dedication has transcended the golf course. Being the head coach of a new program, she is expected to take care of things head coaches don’t usually take care of.

Anything that needs to be done, Cates does. This includes scheduling opponents, buying uniforms and recruiting. But Cates said she is excited to take on the new challenge. Cates’ enthusiasm and positive attitude have left an impression on her players.

“She’s doing everything she should be,” said Holly Cornell, a senior transfer who played for Cates at Oregon State. “I never had a doubt that she would be a great coach.”

Laura Luethke, Cates’ coveted freshman recruit adds: “She’s more than a coach. Everybody relates to her in some way.”

Luethke, who has been one of the premier prep golfers in California the last three years and recently won her first college tournament on Sept. 14 at the Ptarmigan/Ram Fall Classic in Colorado, signed with Fresno State because of Cates’ willingness to cater to her needs and do what it takes to be a good coach.

“She’s really relaxing,” Luethke said. “She’s always had a positive attitude and she helps us because she has individual meetings with each of us.”

Through her experiences, Cates is able to offer an understanding of what her players go through. Being an academic All-American for three years while playing at Washington State, Cates can relate to the feeling of being pulled in different directions.

“I can relate to the time demand, practices and workouts. I’m compassionate towards that,” Cates said. “But at the same time, I want them to respect the opportunity they’ve been given.”

“Golf has opened up so many doors for me, “ Cates said. “It paid my way through school, it’s allowed me to meet new people and it’s made me the person I am today.”

After all, golf has led her to the position she is in right now as a head coach of a fledgling program, and it has changed her in ways she never even imagined.

“Golf is a sport of honesty and integrity,” said Cates. “You have to be your own leader and you have to be self-motivated.”

“Golf is a huge part of her,” said Jennifer, her younger sister. “But she knows that there is a life outside of golf. That’s why she really wants to prepare her players; in the classroom, the way they present themselves and to be better people overall.”

Even though Angie has never seen herself as a coach, Jennifer has seen the qualities of a great coach in her sister all along.

“Angie’s been my coach for 26 years,” said Jennifer. “It’s only fair that I share her.”

Coaching to Cates means more to her than tournament scores and final standings. Golf is just the common ground on which she can see her players grow and evolve, not only as players, but also as people.

“Coaching to me is more than just about golf. It’s more about my relationship with the athletes,” Cates said. “They come in one person and leave as another. I enjoy watching them grow up.”

So when Cates’ team takes the course Monday to face Sacramento State and Santa Clara University in the Sacramento State Invitational at the Riverside Country Club in Fresno, she’ll be looking forward to more than the final standings. She’ll also be looking forward to how her players are evolving, both together as a team and as individuals.

“Coaching is my life,” Cates said. “I love what I do. I am making a difference to these girls on the golf course and in life.”