Bainbridge High School has selected Ian Havill as the girls golf head coach pending board approval, BHS Athletic Director Annette Duvall said.

Havill, who has been a golf instructor for 10 years, said Bainbridge is his first high school coaching position.

“I’ve coached younger kids, and I’ve worked with a lot of high school players as their instructor, not so much in the team mode,” Havill said. “I think that’s one of the main reasons why I was interested [in the position].”

Havill has previously worked within the district as a special education teacher at Wilkes Elementary.

He became a PGA member five years ago, he said, and founded Havill Golf in 2005.

“Recognizing the final step in combining his love for teaching and golf together, Ian completed the PGA Teaching Certification in just two years and is having great success teaching all ages in our community with Havill Golf,” Duvall said.

Havill succeeds Steve Nielsen, who guided the girls team to a second-place finish in 2009. The squad finished fourth at the state tournament in 2008 and third in 2010.

“I think there’s a lot of potential in the team to improve,” Havill said. “I know some of the girls already – they’re great kids, so I’m looking forward to working with a good group of girls.”