STATESBORO – Georgia Southern women's golf coach Emily Kuhfeld will step down to pursue other professional opportunities, Director of Athletics Jared Benko announced today.

"I want to thank Emily for leading the Eagles these past six seasons as a start-up program," Benko said. "This is a program with the facilities and recruiting footprint to attract high-level candidates, and we will begin a national search immediately."

Kuhfeld was named the head coach of the Georgia Southern women's golf program in the summer of 2014 and just completed her sixth season. The 2015-16 campaign was the Eagles' inaugural campaign.

Assistant coach Kelly Welker will serve as the interim coach, and a national search for a replacement will begin immediately. 

The athletics department will not make any further comments on the search for the next head coach until the process is complete.