The staple in Colorado women’s golf game for the past 27 years is bowling out! Colorado Buffaloes golf head coach Anne Kelly is all set to call it a career this season. Kelly is not just leaving the Colorado golf program but an unmatchable legacy behind. As the longest-serving NCAA Division I women’s head coach in the history of Colorado-based golf programs has officially retired, the head coach of the program’s football counterpart Deion Sanders and Co. took out some special time and even more special words to tip his hat.

While the school’s announcement in the concluding months of 2023 of Kelly wrapping up her belongings in CU after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season might have prepared the Colorado fans, it was still a bittersweet moment for them. “Marking the end of an amazing era of women’s golf in the state of Colorado. Thank you, Coach Kelly, for 27 years of great memories!” CU Buffs football page, aka Deion Sanders and Co., wrote on Instagram, full of gratitude for everything that Coach Kelly has given to CU Buffs.

During her 27 years at CU, Kelly cemented a new era at Colorado, leading the team to 8 NCAA Regional appearances and two NCAA Championship events; with 2012 marking the best year in CU women’s golf calendars. Call it the fruit of their hard work but after the 11 tournament wins, in 2012 Colorado football took a momentous step forward in the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history.

They also got the thumbs up for qualifying in NCAA Regionals for the third time in program history. The Buffs won 3 tournaments then, breaking into the top 10 for the first time in program history. Even in 2014-2015, Colorado made it to their program-best 5th place in the Pac-12 Championships at Boulder Country Club. All these things, yet Kelly has just one reason to call it a career.

Anne Kelly on calling it a career

“All good things come to an end,” but in Kelly’s case, like most cases, endings are tough. Yet, making up her mind, Kelly decided that 2023-2024 would be her last season before she enjoyed her life in a quiet country golf club. “The time is right for me to say farewell,” Kelly said with a heavy heart.

“It’s a difficult, emotional decision, but I feel confident about where the program is headed. The time is right for me to hand off the program and become CU golf’s biggest fan,” she further added about her decision to leave the program. Kelly also clarified the reason behind her announcing her decision to retire in 2023. It felt it was an ‘ethically correct’ thing to do, especially for the recruits, so that they would know what they were signing up for. As Kelly rightly put it, her 27 years in the history of the program will always be cherished.