Vincent, Forsyth Named Coaches for U.S. vs. Japan Matches

NORMAN, Okla. ? UCLA men?s and women?s golf coaches O.D. Vincent and Carrie Forsyth have been named coaches for the 2004 Fuji Xerox U.S.A. vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship. The event will be held July 13-16 at Taiheiyou Club Ichihara Course in Chiba, Japan.

The 2003 Pac-10 and Eaton Golf Pride Pacific Region Coach of the Year, Vincent led the UCLA men?s squad to a NCAA best seven tournament victories in his first year as the Bruins? head coach. He guided UCLA to a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships, its second best in school history. Three of Vincent?s golfers - Steve Conway, John Merrick and Travis Johnson - earned PING All-America honors. Prior to his arrival at UCLA, Vincent coached at Washington for six seasons, leading the Huskies to four NCAA tournament berths, nine tournament titles and 68 top-10 finishes. This season UCLA has won three team titles.

"I am sincerely grateful to be selected to coach the U.S. Team in this summer?s U.S.A. vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championships," said Vincent. "To represent the United States as a coach is a prestigious honor ? one that I will cherish for many years. We will field a competitive and gracious team that will represent our country with distinction. The selection of Carrie Forsyth as the women?s coach shows how far both of the UCLA golf programs have advanced in a short period of time. Both of us are thrilled to be a part of this experience, and we relish the chance to coach together as part of the U.S. contingent in Japan."

The 2002 Pac-10 Coach of the Year, Forsyth in her fifth year as the Bruins women?s head coach. Last season she led UCLA to a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships and top 10 finishes in all 12 of its tournaments, including six in the top three. Last season?s national finish was the second time in three seasons the Bruins finished among the nation?s top five teams. Under Forsyth?s tutelage Charlotte Mayorkas earned first-team All-America accolades while Gina Umeck, Bridget Dwyer and Melissa Martin were named All- Pac-10. She has guided UCLA to three-straight NCAA Championships berths and the 2002 NCAA West Regional Championship, coached three All-Americans and placed 10 golfers on the All-Pac-10 team in four seasons. This season the Bruins have won two team championships.

"Words cannot express how honored I am to be selected to coach the women at this year?s U.S.A. vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championships," stated Forsyth. "Nothing could be more thrilling than to represent our country in an international competition. I am excited to be a part of this competition and to have the chance to help lead our U.S. Team to a victory. Also, having the opportunity to coach with O.D. Vincent makes my selection even more special. Coach Vincent and I are going to work hard to provide Team USA with a great experience, and prepare it for the challenges it will face in Japan. It will be a memorable experience for everyone."

The Team USA leads all-time series, 21-7, and has won eight-straight championships.