COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland women's golf head coach Diana Cantu announced the hiring of assistant coach Kelly Hovland Monday.
 
Hovland comes to College Park after serving as associate head coach at Navy for the past seven seasons. Hovland came to Annapolis and played in integral role in starting the women's golf program. She helped coach Navy to its first team title this past season and back-to-back second place finishes in the Patriot League.
 
"I am extremely excited to announce the addition of Kelly Hovland to our women's golf family, Cantu said. "She brings extensive experience and success in teaching and player development. Kelly will add great energy, knowledge, and support to our student-athletes and their collegiate experience. I'm excited for our players and recruits to get to learn and work with Kelly."
 
"I am excited to be joining the Maryland women's golf program and I am grateful to Coach Cantu, Director of Athletics Damon Evans and Deputy Athletic Director Colleen Sorem for the opportunity to represent the University of Maryland," Hovland said. "The recent success of the Terrapin women's golf program is just the beginning this team's trajectory. I look forward to being part of that rise towards winning the Big Ten and chasing a national championship."
 
Hovland worked as an assistant golf and teaching professional at the Naval Academy and provided lessons to members, the public and Midshipmen. She is a Class A member of both the PGA and LPGA.
 
Hovland played four years of collegiate golf at Southern Illinois, where she won the 2004 Missouri Valley Conference individual title and led the Salukis to the MVC team title in 2007. She earned MVC All-Conference honors in all four years of her career. She will be inducted into the Saluki Hall of Fame this fall.
 
Hovland graduated from Southern Illinois with her bachelor's degree in political science in 2006 and her Masters of Public Administration in 2010.