Providence College has announced Louis Parente and Doug Smith will lead the men’s and women’s golf teams.
Starting in 2025-26, Parente will lead the men’s golf team as the third coach in program history.
“Thank you to Athletic Director Steve Napolillo and President Fr. Kenneth Sicard for selecting me to lead the new era of varsity men’s golf. It’s an honor to follow the late Joe Prisco, a legendary coach and even nicer person. I’m excited to become part of the Friar Family and experience firsthand the excitement and support from alumni and fans. I can’t wait to begin building a competitive program aligned with the traditions and values of Providence College and I look forward to getting on the course with our student-athletes next fall,” said Parente in a statement.
Smith will serve as the head coach of the women’s golf team for their inaugural season.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to lead the women’s golf program and compete in the BIG EAST. My entire career, since graduating Providence College, has been as a golf course architect and golf coach. I plan on using all my personal and professional golf skillsets to assemble and oversee a truly competitive team. Women’s golf at the NCAA Division I level requires a blend of local and international players to compete at the highest level. A planned on-campus indoor training facility blended with a variety of local courses for practice will ensure the players will be ready to compete starting in Fall 2025,” said Smith in a statement.
About Parente
Parente heads to PC with 15 years of coaching experience.
From 2005-2015, he served as the men’s golf coach at Johnson & Wales University. In 2015, Parente helped launch the women’s golf program at Johnson & Wales, serving as head coach for the men’s and women’s teams until 2020.
Under his leadership, the Wildcats captured six Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championships and made four NCAA Championship appearances.
Five of his players earned GNAC Player of the Year honors.
Parente was named GNAC Coach of the Year five times.
In addition to his on-course success, Parente managed all facets of the program, including recruiting, player development, travel, budgeting, equipment procurement and social media.
He also served as President of the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association and sat on NCAA Division III committees for national championships and regional ranking advisories.
About Smith
Smith joins Providence with four years of head coaching experience.
He was most recently the head coach for the men’s and women’s golf teams at NCAA Division III Manhattanville University.
Under his guidance, the men’s team earned consecutive runner-up finishes at the Skyline Conference Championships and he coached a Conference Rookie of the Year and Athlete of the Year.
Prior to that, Smith began his career as the varsity boys’ golf coach at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, N.Y.
In addition to coaching, Smith has owned and operated Golf Design Unlimited LLC in Eastchester, N.Y., for the past 25 years, specializing in the design and consulting of golf courses, practice facilities and other related infrastructure.
Over his career, he has contributed to more than 200 design and renovation projects, including 20 new golf course designs and 20 driving range construction projects.
Monahan as Ambassador
PC also announced that Joe Monahan will serve as a volunteer ambassador to the Athletic Director for both golf teams.
Monahan is the father of PGA Tour President/CEO Jay Monahan.
He graduated PC in 1966 and was part of the men’s hockey and golf team.