SAN FRANCISCO -- Academy of Art University Director of Athletics Brad Jones has announced Beth Allen as the new head coach of the Urban Knights women's golf program. Allen brings more than 16 years of professional golf experience into her role at ART U, having competed on both the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and Ladies European Tour (LET).

"We are pleased to have Beth join our department and lead our women's golf team," said Jones. "She brings tremendous experience and knowledge as a professional golfer. Beth is a natural leader and can impart many lessons for our student-athletes both on and off the course."

After qualifying for the LET in 2009, Allen went on to win on the Australian Tour and ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters both in 2015. She then became the first American to be recognized with the LET Order of Merit in 2016, adding Player of the Year honors after winning that year's Lacoste Ladies Open de France and the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open. While also serving as a director on the LET Board for two years, Allen has been a major contributor toward establishing the LET as a premier professional tour in Europe with more than 30 top 10 finishes and participation in 10 British Opens.

Allen originally qualified for the LPGA Tour in 2005 with a top 25 finish at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament. She would compete through 2008 and once again joined the tour in 2017.

"I am really thrilled to be joining the team at ART U as the head women's golf coach," Allen said. "After playing nearly 17 years of professional golf, I am ready to take all of my competitive experience and share it with a great bunch of student-athletes. I have high hopes and big goals for the 2023 season and can't wait to spend some time with the team this fall. I really valued my time as a student-athlete. It was when I grew the most as a player and a person and to be a part of collegiate golf again will be so rewarding. I am already feeling proud to be an Urban Knight."

Along with her success on the golf course, Allen has worked in a variety of capacities off the links. Prior to her recent stint as the club manager at Three Sticks Golf Club in Ohio earlier this year, she began serving as a golf commentator for The R&A/IMG and as a co-host for On The Dance Floor Golf Podcast. Allen has also spent time as a social media administrator for LEAP Sports Scotland since 2020, participating in various activities and campaigns aimed at promoting inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in sport.

A quarterfinalist in the 2004 US Women's Amateur Championship, four-time USGA event participant, and 2004 Honorable Mention All-American, Allen won five collegiate tournaments and was the 2004 Big West Conference Champion before earning her bachelor's degree in Creative Writing from Cal State Northridge.