Chambana Sun

Kari Bellville has joined the University of Illinois women's golf program as an assistant coach and director of operations, according to an announcement from head coach Renee Slone. Bellville arrives after three seasons working with both the men's and women's golf teams at the University of Notre Dame.

"I am thrilled to welcome Kari Bellville to our coaching staff," shared Slone. "I have known her for 15 years and had the opportunity to watch her develop as a player at both the junior and collegiate levels and now as a coach moving through the ranks of graduate assistant to head coach. I admire her work ethic, can-do attitude, and commitment to the overall growth of her student-athletes. She has hit the ground running, jumping right in to work on several projects in preparation for the Illinois Women's Golf Classic. Illinois Women's Golf is fortunate to have a coach with such experience join us, and I am excited to have her assistance in continuing to propel our program forward."

Bellville started her recent stint at Notre Dame in August 2022 and was promoted to associate head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season. During this period, Notre Dame's golf teams achieved 11 top-five team finishes and recorded their best result at the ACC Championships since 2018. The teams also secured three individual tournament titles while Bellville was on staff, including an NCAA Regional individual champion—marking a first for Notre Dame's program. In addition, she supported Lauren Beaudreau during her NCAA East Lansing Regional victory and subsequent appearance at the 2024 NCAA National Championships in La Costa, California—the first time Notre Dame qualified since 2011.

Before returning to Notre Dame, Bellville served as head coach for women's golf at UAB during the 2021-22 season and worked as an assistant coach at Texas State between December 2019 and May 2021.

Bellville graduated from Notre Dame in 2018 after competing for three years as a student-athlete; she missed her senior year due to a wrist injury but completed her degree in business marketing. She then used her final year of eligibility at Indiana University during the 2018-19 season, helping Indiana reach its first NCAA National Championship appearance in over a decade by finishing 19th individually at regionals. Afterward, she joined Indiana's staff as a graduate assistant before earning a master's degree in sport administration and management later that year.

"I am incredibly grateful for Coach Renee Slone and Coach Pina Gentile for providing me with an opportunity to be a part of the Illini family," shared Bellville. "Both women have been wonderful mentors and confidants throughout my coaching career. I look forward to holistically developing our players and being another resource in helping them achieve their goals."

Earlier in her athletic career, Bellville was a four-year letterwinner and team captain at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana.