Keith Batson completed his eighth season as the head coach of women's golf at Ithaca College in during the 2024-25 academic year. Batson was named the program's third head coach in its history during the Spring of 2017.
The 2024-25 season was one of the most successful for the program as IC won five tournaments and finished third in the Liberty League Championship. The Bombers posted a school record for 18 holes during the Cortaca Cup as the team combined to shoot 293 (+5). A week prior at the Ithaca Invitational, IC logged a 36-hole record with 609 (+33).
Ithaca put together a successful campaign in 2023-24, as the Bombers won two tournaments and were runners-up in two other events, including the Liberty League Championship. Cristea Park was a first-team performer at the championship, while Annika Michel and Helena Winterberg were honorable mention selections. IC set new school records for 18- and 36-hole totals during the season as well (305 and 623).
The 2022-23 season saw Rheanna DeCrow emerge as a top-tier golfer in the Liberty League as she finished fourth at the championship tournament to earn first-team honors.
In 2021-22, Ithaca finished third at the Liberty League Championships and Cristea Park was named Second-Team All-Liberty League. IC averaged just over 336 per round, with a low season total of 307 during the second day of the St. Lawrence Invitational during the fall.
During the abbreviated 2021 spring season, Ithaca won all three regular season events and the Liberty League Championship with a two-round total of 679. The Bombers earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship, where they placed 19th in the nation. Peyton Greco was named Liberty League Golfer of the Year, Cristea Park was the Rookie of the Year and Batson took home Coach of the Year honors.
Batson navigated the program through a substantial youth movement in his second year in charge on South Hill. With only one returning upperclassman on the roster, Batson guided the team to another strong season. The program posted six Top-5 finishes at tournaments throughout the year, which included runner-up efforts at both Cortland's Martin-Wallace Invitational in the fall and the annual Ithaca Invitational in the spring. Under Batson's direction, junior Peyton Greco earned Liberty League Women's Golfer of the Year, the second straight IC golfer to earn the recognition in as many years. Greco headlined Ithaca's fourth-place team finish at the Liberty League Championships in April, placing in a tie for ninth-place to earn All-Liberty League Second Team honors. All three of Ithaca's returning players continued to show excellent growth, shaving multiple strokes from their year-to-year season averages.
In his first year at the helm, Batson guided the program to one of its finest years, enjoying a fantastic transition from the Empire 8 to one of the region's premiere golf conferences in the Liberty League. In 10 tournaments, he guided IC to three team titles and three additional runner-up performances. Highlighting the year was Ithaca's performance at its inaugural Liberty League Championships, as Batson coached the program to tie the program record for low team round with a 308 (+20) in a second-place showing. Two players finished inside the Top-10 to earn All-Liberty League praise, headlined by Indiana Jones '18 who shot a low-round 71 (-1) at the Championships to be named Liberty League Player of the Year and All-Liberty League First Team. Additionally, Kyra Denish '18 was a All-Liberty League Second Team honoree. Batson along with graduate-assistant coach Mary Rooker '17 were named Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year.
Batson has extensive experience, serving as the Assistant Golf Professional at Elm Tree Golf Course in Cortland, N.Y., dating back to 2007. He played a primary role in designing, organizing and implementing all the scheduling and programing at Elm Tree. He has provided personalized instruction, as well as golf clinics with players of all ages, while he also oversaw all operations of the course's pro-shop and drove digital content through re-development of Elm Tree's website. Batson earned his Class A Professional License from the Professional Golf Association (PGA) in 2013.
Before taking on the role as Assistant Golf Professional, he served as a summer intern at both the Country Club of Ithaca and the Country Club of Cortland, while completing his undergraduate studies at SUNY Delhi. He filled a variety of roles comprising both instruction and operational duties at both places. Batson graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Professional Golf Management in 2008.
Although this appointment will be his official introduction into the collegiate coaching ranks, Batson is no stranger to spending time on college campuses. In addition to his duties as the Assistant Golf Professional at Elm Tree GC, he also has served as a NCAA basketball official for several Division II, Division III and NAIA conferences throughout the area over the past 10 years. During this time, Batson also spent extensive time officiating at the high school level, while also serving as a board member on the IAABO board 155.
Updated: 6/11/2025
