A familiar face returned to the Park Blocks to lead the Portland State women’s golf program as Kaylee Shimizu – former volunteer assistant coach and sister to recent PSU grad Payten Shimizu – took over as the Vikings’ head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Shimizu spent the 2024-25 season as a volunteer assistant with the Vikings. She spent the past year as a membership and handicapping coordinator with the Oregon Golf Association. Concurrent to her golf-related work, Shimizu has held a number of positions in Information Technology, including jobs at PC Laptops Corporate, AnchorSix and The McGillis School.
Shimizu majored in Information Systems while an NCAA Division I golfer at Utah Valley from 2015-20. She received second-team All-WAC honors as a junior in 2018-19. Shimizu earned the honors after recording the fourth-best single-season average in school history at 75.03. She won her first collegiate tournament that season with an even-par 216 (72-70-74) at the Anuenue Spring Break Classic in her home state of Hawai’i.
She led Utah Valley with a 74.75 scoring average before her senior season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re excited to welcome Kaylee as our new head women’s golf coach. She’s smart, hard-working, and most importantly, has a strong connection and desire to see this program have success both on and off the golf course,” Portland State athletics director Matt Billings said of the hire.
Shimizu takes over a program that is coming off its best showing at the Big Sky tournament in five seasons. The Vikings placed fourth as a team while Cynthia Valerie Ong posted a top 10 finish behind a program record-tying 67 in the final round.
Additionally, the Vikings finished last season with a 301.8 scoring average – their best since they set a school record of 296.5 in 2017-18.
“I would like to thank Portland State University Athletics for the opportunity to lead this program and for the confidence they have placed in me,” Shimizu said.
“My coaching philosophy is centered on developing meaningful relationships, creating lasting experiences, and supporting student-athletes in their growth both on and off the course. I am committed to fostering an environment where our players can excel academically and athletically while developing the confidence, character, and skills that will serve them well beyond their time at Portland State.
“I am excited to build upon the strong foundation of Portland State women’s golf and contribute to the continued growth and success of the program. It is an honor to begin this next chapter as a Viking.”
The Vikings return five players from last year’s team including Ong, her sister Caithlyn Ong, Maddie Dustin, Francesca Tomp and Momo Udom. Cynthia Valerie and Caithlyn Ong represent the team’s top two scorers last season with averages of 74.81 and 76.00, respectively. Dustin ranked third on the team at 76.18.
