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E-mail Coach Ravaioli-Larkin: a.larkin@tcu.edu In leading the Horned Frog women's golf program to 13 consecutive NCAA postseason appearances, Angie Ravaioli-Larkin has become an institution at TCU. In her 15th season, Ravaioli-Larkin is the third-most tenured head coach at TCU. During her long and distinguished time on campus, she has built her program into an annual national title contender. In 2008, the Horned Frogs reached the NCAA National Championship in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. By rallying from a 6-stroke final-round deficit to capture the 2007 Mountain West Conference title, TCU won its third conference championship in a 10-year period. Making that feat even more remarkable are the titles coming in three different leagues (Western Athletic Conference, 1998; Conference USA, 2002). TCU has won 11 tournaments under Ravaioli-Larkin, who has produced seven All-America selections and 17 All-America Scholars. In addition, TCU has had 30 various all-conference awards and honors in her tenure. Ravaioli-Larkin has had six former TCU players (Susan Horton, Angela Stanford, Lori Sutherland, Brooke Tull, D'Rae Ward, Catherine Matranga) play professionally. Upon arrival at TCU in August 1994, Ravaioli-Larkin had one goal in mind - returning the women's golf program, which won the 1983 national championship, to a level of prominence. She accomplished that goal in her fourth season, as the Frogs earned a 12th-place result at the 1997 NCAA Championship. It was the third-best all-time finish for TCU. TCU has since continued its climb in gaining national respect from the collegiate golf world by becoming a team consistently ranked among the nation's elite. The Frogs' success is not just something that has happened by chance. It is a reflection of the coach. Under Ravaioli-Larkin's watch, the Frogs have reached the NCAA Championships five times (1997, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2008) and advanced to the NCAA Regionals each season since 1996. TCU has finished first or second in nine of its last 11 conference tournaments, winning three championships. On five occasions, the Frogs grabbed runner-up finishes at the league tournament. Ravaioli-Larkin came to TCU knowing how to be successful on the links. A four-year letterwinner at SMU, she was a two-time All-Southwest Conference selection and was instrumental in the Mustangs advancing to postseason play. As a freshman, she was the runner-up at the 1986 SWC Tournament. She won a pair of tournaments her senior year and helped lead SMU to the 1986 and 1989 NCAA Championships. In August 1989, Ravaioli-Larkin turned professional and earned an assortment of impressive finishes. She competed in the 1992 U.S. Open and was the leading money winner on the 1991 Players West Golf Tour. Playing on the Asahi Asian Tour in 1992, Ravaioli-Larkin earned order merit honors and finished in the top 15 four times in five events. Ravaioli-Larkin, a Bedford, Texas, native, joined the TCU family in August 1994 after five years in the professional golf world. Undoubtedly known for her playing ability, she was quickly recognized for her coaching as well. Ravaioli-Larkin was named the 1996 Southwest Conference Co-Coach of the Year. In 1997, she was a finalist for NCAA District VI Coach of the Year laurels after leading her team to 12th place at the national tournament. In the spring of 1998, Ravaioli-Larkin netted District Coach of the Year honors as well as Coach of the Year distinction from the Western Athletic Conference. These awards are remarkable achievements, but what stands out most about Ravaioli-Larkin is her heart and ability to balance tasks. She is not only a golfer and coach, but a mentor, friend and mother. Ravaioli-Larkin encourages her team members to not only be the best golfers they can be but, more importantly, to be the best people they can be. She recognizes the importance of becoming a better person through both trials and successes. Ravaioli-Larkin wants her players to leave TCU with more than a great golfing career. She wants her student-athletes to graduate from college with a diploma in one hand and wonderful experiences and memories in the other. Ravaioli-Larkin's teams have always been active members of the Fort Worth community, spending time with a number of charitable causes. She advocates that team members help with the "Reading Frogs" program. She has also developed a senior charity program in which the team's seniors are responsible for adopting a charity of their choice. During the off-season, the team gives its time to that cause. Ravaioli-Larkin not only asks her players to serve others but also leads by example in serving on several boards and committees herself, including the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Educational Committee. She also leads the NGCA New Coaches Orientation. Prior to that, she served on the NGCA All-America Selection Committee and the Hall of Fame Committee from 1997-2001. In 1999, she was selected to the NCAA Regional Selection Committee. Well respected by her peers on campus, Ravaioli-Larkin has served on TCU's NCAA compliance board and was the Chair of the TCU Head Coaches Committee in the 2000-01 academic year. She also is a member of the Chancellor's Peer Group. These commitments not only demonstrate her character, but they show her ability to "walk her talk." On the recruiting trail, Ravaioli-Larkin seeks quality student-athletes. She strongly believes in having positive mental attitudes and wants her players to leave TCU better people, no matter how life directs them after graduation. Ravaioli-Larkin truly feels that TCU is more than just four years -- it is a lifetime. She understands that golf is an individual sport but expects teamwork and team spirit in order to become champions. Golfing does not stop when she leaves her players. It is a family affair. Her husband, Rob Larkin, is vice president of asset management for Pegasus Golf. They are the parents of an 11-year-old daughter, Brittney, and 7-year-old son, Braeden. The personable "Coach Angie" has her program headed into the future with NCAA titles on the mind and passion in the heart. She strives to add another NCAA championship to the lore of the TCU women's golf program. If the past is any indication of what is to come, a national title just might be for the taking. |
 
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