LSU women’s golf coaches Garrett Runion, Alexis Rather to lead US in Arnold Palmer Cup

LSU women’s golf coach Garrett Runion and assistant women’s coach Alexis Rather have been named to the Team USA coaching staff for the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup at Lahinch Golf Club in Ireland.

The Ryder Cup-style competition, which features men’s and women’s collegiate golfers from the United States versus their International counterparts, will be played July 5-7.

Runion, in his sixth season as women’s coach at LSU, will be co-head coach with Matt Thurmond, the men’s coach at Arizona State. Joining Rather as an assistant coach for Team USA is Dudley Hart, associate men’s head coach at Florida.

Australia’s Rhyll Brinsmead and Ireland’s Barry Fennelly will lead the International side. Team USA leads the all-time series 14-12-1.

“I was very blessed and fortunate to grow up in Orlando and be a member at Bay Hill Country Club and get to know Mr. Palmer,” Runion said. “Ever since I got into coaching, I wanted to be a part of (the Arnold Palmer Cup) in some way, shape or form. I look forward to coaching in Ireland and hopefully we have some of our own LSU players play on both sides.

“I’m extremely excited for Alexis. I know this was a big thing for her as well. It will be the first time two coaches from the same school coach together in the same year.”

Rather, like Runion a former LSU player, is in her 14th season with the golf program.

“It truly is an incredible honor to be selected as an assistant coach for Team USA in the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup,” Rather said. “Mr. Palmer has done so much to grow the game of golf and to be a small part of this incredible event which honors his legacy is very humbling.”

Runion and Rather’s LSU roster currently includes fifth-year stars Ingrid Lindblad, No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings; and No. 20 Latanna Stone, who reached this year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur final.