The Hawks Nest - Episode 4: Sierra Campbell
DAHLONEGA -- University of North Georgia (UNG) head women's golf coach Sierra Campbell has entered her fifth season at the helm of the women's golf program.
Through two events, Campbell's team is off to a great start in a year in which her program appears to be on the rise. With a fourth-place finish at the City With Spirit Fall Classic and a second-place finish at the Savannah Lakes Invitational, the Nighthawks have finished third or better in their last seven events dating back to last season. This week they will host the 11th Annual LeeAnn Noble Memorial as they search for the team's first ever win in the event.
Campbell, who took over the UNG program in 2019 at just 24-years-old, sat down with Nighthawk Director of Athletic Communications Brendan Schabath in the latest edition of The Hawks Nest.
In the interview, Campbell discussed the early years of her program and the meteoric rise to success she found. She also touched on her team's success in recent years, the patience its taken to get to this stage and her team's grit to stay in the fight every single tournament.
"You go through the tough years, but you do it knowing that it's all building blocks for the foundation that you want," said Campbell. "It's really great to see that come to life right now. Obviously we're not near the pinnacle of where we want to be but to see that process working... to see that the hard work pays off is great for all of us and that momentum is something that I intend to keep going with."
On Friday, the Nighthawks were ranked No. 20 in the second Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) poll of the 2024-25 season, marking the program's highest ranking since August of 2021.
Ahead of Monday's commencement of the LeeAnn Noble Memorial, Campbell also took time to focus on the importance of hosting an event that UNG can be proud of and sharing the late LeeAnn's legacy today.
"She was obviously a fighter. She was a nursing major. Somebody who wanted to give back, wanted to always be the best. That's something that we try to carry all the time here," said Campbell. "The LeeAnn Noble Memorial Tournament is special to us because we get to just continue to tell her story to every college golfer that comes through here... to be able to carry on her legacy for years and years to come is a special opportunity that I don't take for granted."
Campbell also acknowledged the support from the UNG administration and community in the mission to make the women's golf program one of the best in the entire country.
"We have people at North Georgia who want to make athletics the best in the country," noted Campbell. "To have a staff that wants that and not just 11 head coaches that want their team to be the best in the country is the best part about North Georgia in my opinion."
With a cast of gritty golfers under her wing, the patience of years past and the building blocks for the future, Campbell is armed with the ingredients of a successful program. UNG women's golf is here, and it's time is now.
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