NORTH NEWTON, Kan. - The Bethel College athletic department announced today the addition of women's golf as a varsity sport, with an official launch coming for the 2023-24 academic year. 
 
"I'm excited to announce Bethel's newest varsity sport. Following extensive national research, we are confident women's golf will be a great fit for Bethel academically and athletically," Athletic Director Tony Hoops said. "Given the consistency of our men's golf program over the past 20 years, the addition of a women's team is a natural fit for the institution."
 
Women's golf will become the department's 20th varsity program, joining women's flag football as the newest varsity sports on campus.
 
Bethel College will become the 10th member institution of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) to field a varsity women's golf team.
 
David Bertholf has been tabbed as head coach and will begin putting together a roster immediately.
 
"I am excited and grateful about the opportunity to start a women's golf program at Bethel College," Bertholf stated. "My son played golf for Coach Gregg Dick, and he had a powerful college experience at Bethel."
 
Bertholf comes to Bethel College with a plethora of coaching experience at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels. 
 
"David is passionate about teaching the game of golf as seen with his extensive experience," Hoops said. "We are fortunate to have someone with such strong connections in the golf community join our coaching staff. I'm excited to see men's and women's golf flourish in the future under the guidance of two outstanding leaders in David and Gregg."
 
David spent 31 years working in middle school education with most of those years spent in Winfield, Kan.
 
"Bethel College has a reputation of high academic standards, an inclusive community, and a commitment to service learning," Bertholf went on to say. " Bethel College is fortunate to have a partnership with Sand Creek Station Golf Course, allowing the golf teams to practice and play at one of the top courses in the nation."
 
Bertholf's most recent coaching experience is as an interim golf coach for Southwestern College. Prior to that, Bertholf was the boys and girls golf coach for Winfield High School.
 
During all of his stops in education, Bertholf helped out by coaching. He has coached various sports including track and field, football, and golf at the middle school and high school levels.
 
"Golf has a long, proud history at Bethel College.  It's exciting to add to that storied legacy with the launch of our first Women's Golf squad," Vice President of Enrollment Management, Heidi Hoskinson stated. "On the heels of Flag Football, I am thrilled to add another awesome opportunity to attract women student-athletes to our campus community.  I know they will take Thresher women's athletics to a new, exciting level of competitiveness across the KCAC and NAIA." 

David has a BS in Secondary Education from Kansas State University and an MS in Building Administration from Fort Hays State University.