MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin women's golf head coach Todd Oehrlein has announced the addition of Morgan Baxendale to his staff as an assistant coach for the Badgers.

Baxendale joins the team after the departure of Kristen Simpson, who is now head coach at Penn State.

"We are very fortunate to be adding Morgan to our program," Oehrlein said. "I'm excited about the high-level competitive experience she brings and how she'll be able to help our players.

"More importantly though, she has tremendous values. She knows what is required to be successful at a great academic institution and will always put our players first."

Baxendale played four seasons at Vanderbilt University and earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology in 2021. She then transferred to the University of South Florida to compete in her final year of eligibility for the Bulls while earning her master's degree in Physical Education and Coaching. Following her collegiate career, she's been competing professionally on a number of women's pro tours.

"I'm excited to be a part of a prestigious university that values both academics and athletics," said Baxendale. "And to work alongside one of the most respected coaches in women's golf.

"I can't thank Todd enough for giving me the opportunity to become a Badger and continue to build upon the women's golf program here at Wisconsin."

Well-regarded by her coaches and peers, Baxendale had a notably successful career as a collegiate golfer.

At Vanderbilt, she earned All-SEC Second Team and All-SEC Freshman Team honors while posting a 73.30 average over 30 rounds with a low round of 69 as a freshman. She won the Brickyard Collegiate in her first collegiate tournament and placed 15th at the SEC Championships, in addition to winning a round in the quarterfinals of SEC match play that year and finishing 34th individually at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional. Baxendale recorded a 74.59 average in her sophomore campaign and finished third in the NCAA Auburn Regional, her third top-20 finish on the year, and 79th at the NCAA Championships. She later earned a 74.94 scoring average as a junior and a 75.9 during her senior campaign with the Commodores. She was a member of the Dean's List twice as a Vanderbilt senior, while also serving as a team representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) (2018-2021) and as a team captain (2020-2021).

At USF, Baxendale played in all 10 events for the Bulls and ranked second on the team in scoring average (74.54). She shot in the 60s four times and recorded eight rounds of par of better, including three top 25 finishes and two top 10 marks. She tied for sixth and led USF at the Evie Odom Invitational with a season-low 54-hole score of 207 and also fired a season-low 67 in the final round of the USA Intercollegiate while making her USF debut.

Baxendale has competed in five United States Golf Association (USGA) Championships, including the 2019-2021 U.S. Women's Amateur Championships. She has also advanced twice to the match play in the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship.

Professionally, she has competed in the several events in the Women's All Pro Tour (WAPT), East Coast Women's Pro Golf Tour and Epson Tour.

Baxendale is beginning her duties with the Badgers this week.