Winona State University Women's Golf

Hennessy is entering her sixth season as the head coach of the Winona State womens golf team in 2016-17, helping elevate the WSU program in a short period of time. Hennessy has help guide two student-athletes to the NCAA Central Regional. In 2016 Katya Hoffman reached the NCAA Central Super Regional, tying for 36th. In 2012 she helped Paige Schmidt qualify for the NCAA Division II Championship. Schmidt finished seventh at the Central Region Championship to earn a spot in the championship field while the Warriors placed fifth as a team. Three Warriors have earned all-NSIC honors in Hennessys four seasons as coach, with Cassandra Johanns (2011-12), Schmidt (2012-13) and Katya Hoffman (2013-14, 2015-16) earning the award. Hoffman also finished eighth at the 2013-14 NSIC Championship while firing a 72 in the second round, the best score of any competitor in the championship. Hennessy put together a strong resume as a coach in the high school ranks, leading the Lewiston-Altura girls golf team to a Minnesota Class A State Championship in 2011. Along with the state title, Lewiston-Altura earned runner-up status at the Minnesota State Championship in 2010. Prior to her outstanding coaching career, Hennessy played professionally on the LPGA, competing in the US Womens Open in 1991 at Colonial Country Club and in 1992 at Oakmont Country Club. Hennessy played collegiately at the University of Minnesota, winning two tournaments and being named captain twice during her Golden Gopher career. She also claimed the Class A Minnesota State High School Championship in 1982. Hennessy is a Class A LPGA Teaching and Club Professional. She has also been the golf professional at the Lewiston Country Club for the past nine years.   Julie Hennessy Head Women's Golf Coach Julie Hennessy is entering her sixth season as the head coach of the Winona State womens golf team in 2016-17, helping elevate the WSU program in a short period of time. Hennessy has help guide two student-athletes to the NCAA Central Regional. In 2016 Katya Hoffman reached the NCAA Central Super Regional, tying for 36th. In 2012 she helped Paige Schmidt qualify for the NCAA Division II Championship. Schmidt finished seventh at the Central Region Championship to earn a spot in the championship field while the Warriors placed fifth as a team. Three Warriors have earned all-NSIC honors in Hennessys four seasons as coach, with Cassandra Johanns (2011-12), Schmidt (2012-13) and Katya Hoffman (2013-14, 2015-16) earning the award. Hoffman also finished eighth at the 2013-14 NSIC Championship while firing a 72 in the second round, the best score of any competitor in the championship. Hennessy put together a strong resume as a coach in the high school ranks, leading the Lewiston-Altura girls golf team to a Minnesota Class A State Championship in 2011. Along with the state title, Lewiston-Altura earned runner-up status at the Minnesota State Championship in 2010. Prior to her outstanding coaching career, Hennessy played professionally on the LPGA, competing in the US Womens Open in 1991 at Colonial Country Club and in 1992 at Oakmont Country Club. Hennessy played collegiately at the University of Minnesota, winning two tournaments and being named captain twice during her Golden Gopher career. She also claimed the Class A Minnesota State High School Championship in 1982. Hennessy is a Class A LPGA Teaching and Club Professional. She has also been the golf professional at the Lewiston Country Club for the past nine years.  

Jeff Straight joined Winona State as an assistant coach in 2014, then became the head men's golf coach in 2015. In 2018, Straight was promoted to Director of Golf – overseeing both the Warrior men's and women's programs. AT WINONA STATE Fall 2025 Men’s Golf record 53-8, ranked 26th in the nation & 3rd in the Central Region 4 tournament wins. Fall 2025 Women’s Golf record 50-18, ranked 82nd in the nation & 14th in the Central Region 3-time NSIC Coach of the Year Led WSU Men’s Team to the NCAA Super Regionals 3-time NSIC Tournament Championships have finished in the top 2 every year. Men’s Golf overall tournament record 950–361 the past 11 seasons, 25 career tournament wins, 2025 fall all-time team scoring records of -18 for one round and -30 for a two-day tournament. Women’s Golf tournament record 435-375 record in the past 8 years, 4 tournament wins. Men’s Team GPA of 3.35 or higher in each of the last 7 seasons. Women’s Team GPA of 3.60 or higher each of the last 5 seasons. Individual Academic Awards, 9 Myles Brand award winners, 4 NSIC Elite 18 award winners. Hosted 45 college tournaments including 2023 NCAA Super Regionals Serves on Men’s Golf Coaches Connection for the NSIC, Women’s Golf National Poll Voter.   PLAYER DEVELOPMENT 21 NSIC All-Conference selections Men’s Golf Individual round school record 64 by Brady Madsen & Alessandro Trenta Women’s Individual round school record 67 by Carly Moon 17 NSIC All-Academic honorees Five All-Region selections Two Ping All-Americans Brady Madsen Alesandro Trenta Sent 3 players to play for D1 programs in the past 5 years.   BEFORE WINONA STATE Vice President Operations the Watkins Company Plant Manager Reser’s Fine Foods Market General Manager LSG Sky Chef & Gategourmet PLAYING EXPERIENCE Accomplished Player, played in many high level amateur and open tournaments. Caddie on PGA, Korn Ferry, Nike and Celebrity Tours. PERSONAL Native of Springdale, Arkansas Married to Xenia Straight (Assistant Coach) with two sons: Eric and Austin Resides in Winona, MN