Frisco, Texas----Wingate University women's golf head coach JD Lamm has been named NCAA Division II South Region Coach of the Year following a historic 2025-26 season that culminated in the program's appearance in the NCAA Division II National Championship semifinals after the Bulldogs finished stroke play in first place.
 
The honor recognizes Lamm's leadership of one of the most dominant teams in Division II golf this season. Under his guidance, the Bulldogs spent the entire year ranked No. 1 nationally, captured the South Atlantic Conference Championship, won the NCAA South Regional Championship and ultimately the aforementioned NCAA stroke play gold medal at PGA National.
 
"This recognition belongs to our student-athletes and everyone who supports our program," Lamm says. "The commitment, work ethic and culture our players have built made this season possible. I couldn't be prouder of what they accomplished."
 
"Coach JD has completely transformed Wingate women's golf into one of the top programs in Division II," Lauren Sutcliffe ('26) says. "His belief in his players, attention to detail and commitment to excellence have created a culture where everyone is motivated to improve. This award reflects the impact he has had on our team and the success he has helped make possible."
 
Historic season for the Bulldogs
 
The 2025-26 campaign will go down as one of the greatest seasons in Wingate athletics history. The Bulldogs posted a 286.4 team scoring average while recording eight top-three finishes throughout the season. Wingate consistently established itself as the nation's top team, combining elite scoring with unmatched depth throughout the lineup.
 
The season reached its pinnacle at the NCAA Division II National Championship, where the Bulldogs dominated the stroke-play portion of the event. Wingate won stroke play by an incredible 20 shots before advancing through medal match play.
 
Throughout the championship, the Bulldogs led the field in:
 
- Most birdies
- Fewest bogeys
- Par-three scoring
- Par-four scoring
- Par-five scoring
 
National Player of the Year leads historic roster
 
Lamm's lineup featured one of the strongest groups in Division II golf. Sophomore Amely Bochaton capped a remarkable season by earning WGCA National Player of the Year honors and capturing the NCAA Division II individual national championship. Ranked No. 1 nationally throughout the year, Bochaton recorded seven victories and 12 top-three finishes while posting a 69.1 adjusted scoring average.
 
The Bulldogs also received key contributions throughout the lineup from seniors Thalia Perez-Vieco and Lauren Sutcliffe, junior Jackie Gonzalez Howard, sophomores Olivia Meinecke and Haley Paramore and freshman Ines Marty.
 
Wingate placed multiple players on the All-SAC and All-Region teams while consistently showcasing one of the deepest rosters in the country.
 
Building a national powerhouse
 
Since taking over the program, Lamm has transformed Wingate women's golf into one of the premier teams in NCAA Division II.
 
The Bulldogs have reached the NCAA National Championship in consecutive seasons, highlighted by a national semifinal appearance in 2026 and the program's first national quarterfinal berth in 2025.
 
Under Lamm's leadership, Wingate has consistently competed against the top teams in the country while developing nationally ranked players, conference champions, All-Americans and national award winners. The Bulldogs' rise culminated this season with the program's first NCAA stroke play achievement, firmly establishing Wingate among the elite programs in Division II women's golf.
 
A season to remember
 
The South Region Coach of the Year honor is another milestone in a season filled with accomplishments for Wingate women's golf.
 
The Bulldogs captured:
 
- South Atlantic Conference Championship
- NCAA South Regional Championship
- NCAA Division II stroke play honors
- WGCA National Player of the Year (Bochaton)
- NCAA Division II Individual National Championship (Bochaton)
 
As the program looks toward the future, Lamm's leadership continues to position Wingate among the elite programs in collegiate golf. After guiding the Bulldogs to the top of Division II, the South Region Coach of the Year honor serves as a fitting recognition of one of the most successful seasons in program history.
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 30 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 18 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
 
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(Editor's note: Wingate junior men's golf student-athlete Matthew Wordon contributed this article. He is an international business major from Bath, England.)