DECORAH, IOWA . . . After four years as head coach of the Luther College women’s golf program, Dave Lester has announced his resignation.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my four seasons as head coach while at Luther and appreciate the opportunity that was given to me,” stated Lester.  “I am honored to have coached and worked with some incredibly talented young women during this time and I hope that their experience on the Luther golf team will be one that will they will cherish into their future careers and life endeavors.  I have had the opportunity to coach several academic all-conference players, three academic All-Americans, a three-time all-conference player, a two-time all-conference player and an all-conference player.  I feel like the highlights for me were a second place team finish in the 2008-09 IIAC conference championship and Emily Looft’s third place individual finish at this year’s conference championship.”

Director of Athletics Joe Thompson said the college would begin the search for a new coach immediately. “We have enjoyed David's leadership these past four years and we appreciate the mentoring he has provided to our women golfers. His teams have been well-coached and they have achieved substantial success in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and at the regional level.” stated Thompson. “We wish David well in his new position at the Oneota Cooperative.”

Luther College is a four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Norse compete in 10 men's and nine women's intercollegiate sports.

As a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) since 1922, the men have won 150 conference championships. In 1982 the IIAC expanded its championship sponsorship to include women's sports. During this time span, the women have won 59 team titles. Combined, the Norse have captured an unprecedented 209 IIAC titles.