Apr 9, 2010 8:29:39 AM

Ohio Wesleyan will field a women's golf team for the 2010-11 academic year.

The addition increases Ohio Wesleyan's complement of varsity sports to 23, with 12 for women and 11 for men. Women's golf is the first varsity sport to be added at Ohio Wesleyan since 1998, when softball was elevated to varsity status for the 2000 season.

"It's the right program at the right time for Ohio Wesleyan," said Athletics Director Roger Ingles. "The sport has taken off at the high school and college levels, there is a demand and an ability to schedule, and there is a championship offered."

Ohio Wesleyan becomes the sixth North Coast Athletic Conference institution to sponsor women's golf, joining Allegheny, Denison, Hiram, Wittenberg and Wooster. The NCAC will conduct its first women's golf championship in 2010-11.

"We pride ourselves on offering every sport the NCAC sponsors," Ingles said.

Ohio Wesleyan's men's golf program has won 23 conference championships, including seven of the last eight, and has recorded 18 national top 10 finishes. Men's coach Ian Miller has been assisting in recruiting for the Battling Bishops' inaugural women's golf team.

In addition to continuing as head coach of the men's golf team, Miller will become director of golf operations, overseeing scheduling and travel schedules for both teams, and assisting in recruiting for the women's team. Ingles anticipates hiring a head coach for women's golf this summer.