Laura Smith was named head coach of the Bulldog women’s golf program on Monday Aug. 31, 2026.

Smith, who has served on the UNC Asheville women’s golf coaching staff since the spring of 2022, steps into the head coaching role after helping the Bulldogs reach new heights during her tenure with the program.

During the 2025-26 season, Smith helped guide Asheville to the Big South Match Play Championship for the first time in program history. She also helped coach Caroline Patterson to the first NCAA Tournament appearance by an individual in UNC Asheville women’s golf history.

Smith has brought an extensive playing and coaching background to the Bulldog program.

Prior to joining Asheville, Smith coached golf at Asheville Christian Academy for two seasons.

Before entering the coaching ranks, Smith played professionally for five years. Her professional career included victories at the 2013 Symetra Open and 2011 Michigan Open. She also competed in the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open at Oakmont Country Club.

Smith enjoyed a decorated collegiate career at Michigan State, where she recorded three individual victories and was named the 2010 Big Ten Player of the Year. She was a three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and earned Second Team All-America honors in both 2009 and 2010.

During Smith’s collegiate career, Michigan State made four NCAA Regional appearances and advanced to the NCAA Championships twice. She finished her Spartan career as the program’s all-time leader in scoring average at 74.6 and totaled 16 top-five finishes and 23 top-10 finishes.

Smith was also selected to represent Team USA at the 2010 World University Games.

In 2024, Smith was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame, becoming the seventh member of the Spartans’ women’s golf program to receive the honor.

Smith graduated from Michigan State with a degree in geography and a concentration in meteorology.

Smith's hobbies include golf, photography, chasing storms, CrossFit, Golden Girls, hiking & enjoying the local restaurants and craft beer WNC has to offer. She lives with her husband Joey, and four-legged fur babies (Davo, Pip and Rallo).

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