Transylvania University Women's Golf

Transylvania University is excited to announce the appointment of Tom Campbell as the new Head Women's Golf Coach. With an extensive and impressive background in coaching and golf management, Campbell brings a wealth of experience and a track record of success to the Pioneers. Campbell, a proud alumnus of Transylvania University, returns to his alma mater where he played golf and contributed to the team's first-ever appearance at a Men's Golf National Championship in 1990.  His return marks a significant homecoming, bringing his journey full circle and reinforcing his deep connection and commitment to Transylvania. Campbell, who recently served as the Head Men's Golf Coach at Rhodes College, has a storied career spanning 3 decades in athletics coaching. During his tenure at Rhodes, Campbell elevated the men's golf program back to national prominence, achieving a top 30 national ranking and guiding the team to numerous tournament successes. His leadership saw the program finish 28th in the final national rankings, with standout player Avery Stansell qualifying for the 2024 NCAA Division III National Championship and earning third-team All-American honors. The academic achievements of his teams, with a consistent GPA over 3.40 and multiple Academic All-Americans, underscore his commitment to excellence both on and off the course. Prior to his time at Rhodes, Campbell's collegiate golf experience includes stints at Centre (six years), Sewanee (two years) and Kentucky Wesleyan (five years). He entered the college ranks at Kentucky Wesleyan in 1993 as head men's golf coach and associate head women's basketball coach. He also served as their head women's coach for a year.  In 2008 he joined Centre's staff as assistant men's and women's golf coach. In his third season he took over as head coach for the men's program, a position he held for four years. During his time with the Colonels, Campbell helped guide the 2010 squad to the program's first ever Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship. That season Centre placed 13th at the NCAA Division III Championship where Chris Morris placed third individually after being winning medalist at the SCAC Championship. During the 2011 season, the Colonels placed seventh at the NCAA Championships where Morris was the NCAA Division III Individual Champion and the Jack Nicklaus Award Winner. Morris was a two-time All-American. Campbell also coached Grant Hinton to an individual berth to the NCAA Championships in 2012. During his final season with the Colonels in 2014, Centre won the SAA Championship. "We are thrilled to welcome Tom Campbell back to the Transylvania family," said Holly K. Sheilley, Vice President for Athletics and Director of Athletics. "Tom's extensive experience and proven ability to build successful, high-integrity programs will be invaluable as we continue to grow and develop our women's golf team. His dedication to the holistic development of student-athletes aligns perfectly with our mission." Campbell's expertise extends beyond coaching. As a Master Club Fitter for Callaway Golf, he has worked with golfers of all levels across Kentucky and Southern Indiana, ensuring they are equipped with the best possible gear to enhance their performance. Additionally, his role as the Founder of Pyramid Golf Management has seen him manage high-profile tournaments and provide top-notch service to collegiate golf programs, including Transylvania University. "I am honored to join Transylvania University as the Head Women's Golf Coach," said Campbell. "This institution has a proud tradition of academic and athletic excellence, and I look forward to building upon that legacy. I am excited to work with our talented student-athletes, helping them achieve their goals and representing Transylvania with pride.  I'm looking forward to coming home." Campbell's coaching career includes significant achievements in both golf and basketball. At The University of the South, Sewanee, he served as Head Women's Basketball Coach, leading the team to its most successful seasons in nearly a decade. His versatile coaching background, coupled with his strategic and technical expertise, makes him a formidable addition to Transylvania's coaching staff. Professionally, Campbell won the Kentucky State Amateur golf title in 2014. In 2020 he was the Kentucky Senior Player of the Year after being runner-up in the Kentucky Senior Amateur, Kentucky Senior Open, and the Kentucky Senior Team Championship.  In 2021 he also was the Kentucky Senior Player of the Year.    Transylvania University looks forward to the upcoming seasons under Coach Campbell's leadership and is confident that he will bring new energy and success to the women's golf program.

Purdom was named Transylvania's Women's Head Golf Coach in February 2014. In her first season at TU, Purdom led the team to four top-five finishes, including fourth place at the HCAC Championships.  As a former head coach of Division-I program University of Mississippi, Purdom guided women's golf to its first-ever NCAA Regional appearance in 1998, followed by a second in 1999, along with 11 team titles. Purdom's 1998-99 Lady Rebel team placed third at the Southeastern Conference Championships, the highest finish ever for the program at the league tournament. That 1998-99 squad also advanced to NCAA Regional play at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Purdom coached 11 individual medalists, 11 All-SEC selections, four Academic All-Americans, and 16 SEC Academic Honor Roll picks. The program's first All-SEC first team honorees-Megan Breen and Robyn Rinaldo in 1999-were coached by Purdom.  A 1991 graduate of Ole Miss, Purdom was a four-year letterwinner for the Lady Rebel golf program. She earned her bachelor's degree in Business Administration in December 1991.