Noelle Hamilton knows what it takes to win on the golf course.

She knows what it's like to play for and attend the University of Idaho, which, Vandal golf coach Brad Rickel said, is why he hired her as his assistant.

"I really wanted someone familiar with the University of Idaho golf program," Rickel said. "I wanted someone who knew exactly what I wanted as a head coach and what we want to achieve."

Hamilton already is a part of some of UI's top golf achievements as a member of the 2001 Big West Conference championship team and back-to-back NCAA Regional teams. Rickel said her on-course ability, which includes the 2001 Big West medallist honors, have earned the admiration of the UI golfers who will be only one year younger than their coach.

"They have a big-time respect for Noelle," Rickel said. "I know that respect will continue in her new position."

Hamilton said she relishes the challenge to coach at her alma mater.

"I'm very excited," Hamilton said. "Being a coach is something that's always been in the back of my mind. Being able to coach here is a great opportunity."

Hamilton earned her degree in Sport Science last month and plans to begin work on a graduate degree this fall.

During her UI career, Hamilton had 13 top-10 finishes and 20 top-25 tournaments. She had a career stroke average of 78.3 but she finished her senior season at 77.04. Hamilton was a first-team all-Big West Conference selection as a junior and a second-team choice as a sophomore and senior.

She recently qualified for the National Public Links Golf Tournament, which is June 18-21 at Bend, Ore.

Hamilton, a four-year letterwinner at UI, is a graduate of Olympia (Wash.) High School, where she played on two Washington high school championship teams.