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UCLA Women's Golf Mourns Loss of First Coach, Jackie Steinmann

by uclabruins.com
Oct 25, 2020
Jackie Steinmann was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.

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Jackie Steinmann, the first coach in UCLA women's golf history, who built the program into a national power, passed away on Saturday.
 
"Jackie Tobian-Steinmann was a dear friend and mentor to many young coaches during her 22-year career as the head coach of the UCLA women's golf team," said current head coach Carrie Forsyth, who played under Steinmann (1989-1993) and became the Bruins' head coach following Steinmann's retirement in 1999.
 
Steinmann, a 1956 UCLA graduate, guided the Bruins to the 1991 NCAA Championship and was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. She is also a member of the Collegiate Women's Golf Hall of Fame (1989), was twice the recipient of the Gladys Palmer Award for Meritorious Service and founded the Women's Golf Coaches Association in 1983.
 
"She did so much to grow the college game for women, and her leadership created a lasting legacy. Coach had an amazing sense of humor, and her fiery red hair indicated she was a force of life. She was a gourmet cook, an accomplished artist, a medical illustrator, a teacher, a world-class snow skier, a golfer, a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother. She wrote a book, founded the WGCA and was a member of two Halls of Fame. She lived life to the fullest. Her big heart and zest for life made her one of my heroes. She is loved and will be deeply missed."
 
Hired in 1977, it took just two years for Steinmann to lead the Bruins to a conference (WCAA) title. UCLA also won back-to-back WCAA Championships in 1982 and 1983 and consecutive Pac-10 Championships in 1990 and 1991.
 
UCLA won 43 tournament titles under Steinmann. Five of those wins came during the 1990-1991 campaign, which culminated in a national title. The Bruins overcame a six-shot deficit on the final two holes to force a sudden death playoff, which UCLA won against San Jose State. The Bruins finished in the Top 10 at the NCAA Championship 10 times under Steinmann.
 
Steinmann was named the WGCA National Coach of the Year in 1996 and was back-to-back, Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1991. A total of 15 Bruins earned 21 All-American awards when the WGCA first started handing out the honor in 1985.
 
Steinmann, 93, is survived by her three children, Heidi, Gregor and Lance, son-in-law Robert, daughters-in-law Robin and Lili, eight grandchildren, Rylan, Caitlin, Becker, Tiffany, Eric, Birgen, Kaitlyn and Annalise, and two great grandchildren, Rhett and Krew.

 

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