SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis golf coach Cindy Mah-Lyford has been named the Northern California Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year by the California Coaches’ Association. She will be honored at the CCA Coach of the Year Banquet at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Sacramento on June 14.

“It is very flattering and I am honored to be chosen,” said Mah-Lyford. “I think it is really a reflection of the players that I have had. Coaches do not ever get recognized unless their players perform. So it is a testament to their dedication and sacrifice that they have made for their sport.”

She will be honored along with the Southern Coach of the Year. The state coach of the year will be announced in 18 different sports.

Mah-Lyford led the Troubadours to an undefeated regular season, winning the Delta River League title for the fourth consecutive season under her leadership. St. Francis won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North title and finished third at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters to advance to the Nor Cal Championships. St. Francis was eighth overall at NorCals in 2013.

“It is very fulfilling to coach at St. Francis,” said Mah-Lyford. “I remember what I did to play at that age and I have the opportunity to impart the experience that I have. My coach in college meant so much to me and I hope I can do for them what she did for me.”

This year Mah-Lyford coached four Troubadours who earned All Delta River League honors:  Player of the Year, Emily Laskin, who will play for the Naval Academy, Ileana MacDonald, who has committed to Chico State, Victoria Vardanega, who has signed to play for Pomona-Pitzer, and sophomore Kate Swanson.

Overall, St. Francis has won six section titles during her tenure.

Mah-Lyford played professionally on the Ladies European Tour for three seasons and posted two Top-10 finishes. She recorded a career-best 26th-place finish in 1993 among two United States Women’s Open appearances and was 40th overall in the 1991 British Women’s Open. Although she shot a career-low round of 67 in the LPGA Tour School qualifying in 1994, she missed earning her LPGA Tour card by one stroke.

The Roseville resident began playing at the age of 17 and walked on to the Cal State Long Beach program. She had a strong amateur career, playing in seven USGA Championships. She reached the quarterfinals three times in the Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship. She also earned three berths in the USGA Women’s Amateur Championship and one in the USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships.

A Stockton native, she graduated from Stagg High School in 1978 and played Cal State Long Beach from 1981-83, studying Marketing. She helped the 49ers to two WCAA titles during her career.

Tickets for the event are $55 each or $550 for a school table of 10.  Tickets may be purchased by contacting Rob Grialou at grialous@att.net. The event will be at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel at 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, Ca.  They have a special California Coaches’ Association rate of $89.00 through June 4.  Contact the hotel at 916-924-4900 or 800-686-3775 and request that rate.

The California Coaches’ Association has been honoring State Coaches of the Year for the past fifty seven years.  The organization has voting membership on the California State CIF Federated Council and helps supports schools and districts by providing information, coaching education, liability insurance and recognition for the outstanding high school coaches of California.  If you would like additional information concerning the organization or various school or district memberships, please visit http://www.calcoachesassociation.net.