Luis Pavon - Women's Golf Coach - University of Tennessee Athletics

Luis Pavon

Title:
Volunteer Assistant Coach

Former professional player Luis Pavon, husband of Judi Pavon, served on Rocky Top for six and a half seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Tennessee.

As a coach, the former Alabama star helped the 2015-16 team to an eighth place finish at the SEC Championship and 16th place finish at the NCAA Championship.

With Pavon's assistance, the Orange and White carded 11 top-10 placements, including a runner-up finish at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship during the 2015-16 season.

The Mexico City-native helped the Vols set a new school record in the 2015-16 season as Tennessee recorded its lowest 54-hole tournament score (838) at the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown. Individually, Anna Newell set two NCAA records at the tournament--54-hole record for total strokes and relation to par--with an 18-under 198.

Pavon was appointed as the volunter assistant coach in the spring of 2014. He specializes in course management, specifically how to minimize errors and assists with on-course coaching during tournaments.

As a player, Pavon lettered at Alabama from 1983-87 while also earning his B.A. in Advertising. During his time there, Pavon placed third at the 1985 SEC Championship.

Upon graduating, Pavon turned professional, playing from 1988-90. He caddied on the LPGA Tour from 1991-93. From 1992-93, he served as Judi Pavon's caddy.

2017-18 Season Recap

The Lady Vols found success early in 2017-18, charting three straight top-three finishes to close out the fall season, including a third place finish at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship. The Big Orange wasn't quite as strong down the stretch as the team battled tough fields and conditions. Still, the Orange and White claimed the No. 10 seed in the Tallahassee Regional and the program's 26th consecutive trip to the NCAA postseason.

Highlights from the season included the Vols carding six top-seven finishes while having seven different players lead the team at tournaments. The Vols entered their 26th consecutive regional tournament with five top-five finishes on the season. Additionally, UT collected eight top-10 placements individually. Most notably, sophomore Micheala Williams carded carded a 9-under 207 in the Tallahassee Regional to place seventh and advance to the NCAA Championship as an individual where she notched a 27th place finish.

Managing the Game

5. Tennessee was led by sophomore Micheala Williams in 2017-18 as she carded a 74.27 average and nine rounds of par or better through 12 tournaments. With her seventh place finish at the Tallahassee Regional, Williams became just the fifth individual from Tennessee to qualify for the NCAA Championship and the first since Erica Popson did so in 2013 as a senior.

4. En route to earning the program's 25th consecutive NCAA Regional bid, five different Tennessee players earned the No. 1 spot in the lineup during the season. Throughout the year, the Vols were led by junior Blakesly Warren who carded a 73.53 average, 12 rounds of par or better and four top-10 finishes. Academically, UT posted a 3.79 GPA to set a new program and Tennessee Athletics record.

3. The Vols distinguished themselves as one of the top women's golf programs in the country, placing 16th at the NCAA Championship with the assistance of Pavon. Tennessee was led by sophomore Anna Newell who not only placed 4th at the NCAA Championship, but also earned First Team All-America honors from the Women's Golf Coaches Association. Additionally, Newell set two NCAA records--54-hole record for total strokes (198) and relation to par (-18)--en route to earning the individual title at the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown.

2. It was a record setting 2014-15 season for the program as Tennessee made its 23rd consecutive NCAA Regional appearance and finished in a tie for fifth place at the NCAA National Championship. The team won two tournaments in the spring, the Westbrook Springs Invite and SDSU Farms Invite. In every tournament during the spring, the Vols finished in fifth place or better and had 10 top-10 finishes in the 11 team events played in. Records broken included team low round (276), low scores after 36 holes (557), first round low score (276) and team season scoring average (291.74).

1. Fueled by lone senior Chessey Thomas, the Vols made their 22nd consecutive NCAA Regional appearance during the 2013-14 season. The team captured the 2014 Lady Bulldog championship with Thomas scoring the individual title. UT finished its season with a 16th place finish at the NCAA Washington Regional.

NCAA Success

In 2015-16, Pavon helped coach Tennessee to a 16th place finish at the NCAA Championship. He also helped coach Anna Newell to a fourth place finish, the highest placement by a Vol in program history. Additionally, Newell earned First-Team All-American honors and was named to the All-SEC First Team. Lucia Polo was also named the SEC Academic Player of the Year for the second straight year.

In 2014-15, the Big Orange finished in fifth place and AJ Newell and Anna Newell earned honorable mention All-America laurels while Anna and Lucia Polo made All-SEC Second Team. Polo was also named the SEC Academic Player of the Year.