BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – University of South Carolina Beaufort Associate Vice Chancellor for Athletics / Athletics Director Tim Daniels and Men's & Women's Head Golf Coach Cory Cottrell has announced the promotion of Sam Fritzinger to Associate Head Coach for Men's and Women's Golf.
"I don't feel that there is anyone more deserving of a promotion in college golf than Samantha. Her technical knowledge of the golf swing and her analytical work is an incredible asset to the programs," stated head coach Cory Cottrell.
Fritzinger has entered her sixth year with the golf program after joining the coaching staff prior to the 2021-22 season following a four-year playing career at Wingate University.
"Being part of this coaching staff and experiencing the growth of USCB Golf and USCB Athletics over the past six years has been incredibly rewarding, stated Sam Fritzinger. "I'm very grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Coach Cory and excited to continue building on the success of our golf programs in my new role as Associate Head Coach."
She has been a key part of a successful golf program that, during her time at the university, has achieved numerous individual and team accomplishments. Most recently, during the 2025-26 season, Fritzinger helped lead the program to its first NCAA Division II National Champion at USCB.
"She has had direct results in helping Sand Shark golfers win individual national titles, both male and female individual Peach Belt Conference Championships, and team Peach Belt Conference championships. We are extremely fortunate that Coach Sam continues to choose to be a Sand Shark and she deserves this recognition," said Cottrell.
During her five seasons with the program, Fritzinger has helped coach one National Champion, Octavio Laurent, who also earned Peach Belt Conference Co-Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. Laurent was also named a PING First Team All-American and received the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award. Christofer Hammar earned the Elite 18 Award, while the men's team advanced to the NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional.
In addition, the men's team won the 2024-25 Peach Belt Conference Championship, including individual conference champion Erik Rengardt. Rengardt was named PBC Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the Division II PING All-Region Southeast Team.
Overall, Fritzinger has coached two PBC Freshman of the Year winners, two PBC All-Conference players, one PING All-American, and four NAIA All-Americans.
The women's team has also achieved numerous accomplishments during Fritzinger's tenure. Most recently, McLain Neal earned a spot in the 2025-26 NCAA Division II South Regional. Neal was also the 2025 Peach Belt Conference individual champion during the 2024-25 season.
The women's team also produced an individual conference champion in 2023, when Ashleigh Mead won the Continental Athletic Conference individual championship. That same year, the women's team captured the Continental Athletic Conference Championship.
For the women's program, Fritzinger has coached one PBC All-Conference player and three NAIA All-Americans.
In the current season, two tournaments into the schedule, USCB Men's Golf is ranked No. 20 in NCAA Division II according to the Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll.
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