Lu Anne Howerton found her passion for golf when she was 10 years old.

“It was a summer program that all the kids around Bedford did,” Howerton said. “We just got into golf on the golf course and I just fell in love with it.”

Forty years later and more than 100 miles from home, Howerton’s passion has led her to a new path.

Howerton took over as head coach for the women’s golf team after Don Bisesi stepped down from the role.

Bisesi and Howerton have been friends for more than 28 years.

She said he will stay on staff to help out as an honorary coach.

“I knew that he needed some help,” Howerton said. “(The position) just kind of fell in place.”

The team often practices at Cambridge Golf Course, where Bisesi lives.

Howerton said she wants him to be involved and be around in any way he can.

Before taking the position, Howerton coached high school golf and worked as club manager and event coordinator at the Madisonville Golf and Country Club.

She and her husband Jeff moved to Evansville with their two daughters three years ago

Howerton said as a “golf family” everyone is supportive of her coaching at a college level.

Her oldest daughter Ashleigh played golf during her time at Northern Kentucky University and her youngest daughter Taylor plays golf at Indiana University.

“As soon as they could walk they had a golf club in their hand,” Howerton said. “They have always loved it.”

She coached both of her daughters during high school and said the differences in coaching from high school to college golf are evident.

“In high school you’re mainly trying to teach a lot of rules, keeping score, etiquette — more just helping them along,” Howerton said. “(In college) they pretty much know all of that. They are there to play college golf and they are really good players.”

There are also new experiences that come with collegiate athletics.

“This is my first experience with recruitment,” Howerton said. “The girls that come in next year, I want to see them through their four years.”

She said her new group of golfers is talented and that will make the transition easier.

“We just finished our first road trip,” Howerton said. “I’ve got a great group of girls.”