When Rhodes added women’s golf as a sport in 1994, the challenge was to recruit academically and athletically gifted golfers to start the program. Women’s golf head coach Matt Dean knew he needed not only a strong player, but a leader to guide the program through its early growth and struggles. Stephanie Boyd Gehres not only met those requirements, but led the Lynx in a rapid rise to success that they still enjoy today.
In her second year in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, Stephanie was instrumental as the Lynx captured the 1996 SCAC Women’s Golf Championship. She was the 1996 SCAC Golfer of the Year as a freshman, shooting a two-day total of 181 at the University of the South Golf Course and breaking the championship scoring mark by 14 strokes.
The Albuquerque, New Mexico, native was also honored as a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference’s 15th Anniversary Women’s Golf Team. During her golf career at Rhodes, she was a three-time All-SCAC performer and served as a captain of her Rhodes teams.
Coach Dean describes Stephanie as a pioneer for women’s golf at Rhodes. “In athletics, we always have firsts in every sport; for Rhodes Women’s Golf the bar was set high at an early stage of the program when Stephanie led the Lynx to a conference championship in year two of the sport. Stephanie winning Player of the Year as a freshman set the table for future Lynx golfers. I am indebted to Stephanie for what she meant to our program.”
At Rhodes, Stephanie was a tremendous leader who was very involved with student life and a devoted student in the classroom. Professionally, Stephanie hasn't slowed down a bit. Moving to her hometown of Albuquerque, she joined the staff at the state's largest hospital system and was recognized by the local business association, Albuquerque Business First, as a recipient of the "40 under 40" award for up-and-coming professionals in the city. She also received the hospital's Rising-Star award, given to the physician demonstrating the patient care and joy expected by those in the profession.
Rhodes is honored to induct Stephanie Boyd Gehres into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame on this 2nd day of November, 2024.
