Columbia News

University of Missouri's women's golf team has appointed Francesco Guarneri as the new assistant coach. Head coach Caroline Westrup Gaeta announced the addition on Wednesday.

Guarneri, originally from Santiago, Chile, joins the Tigers after a two-year tenure at IMG Academy. "I am very excited to add Francesco to our coaching staff," said Westrup Gaeta. "He brings great experience of developing players and his passion for coaching is infectious. He wants to continue to build this program and he aligns with the same standards and core values that we have at Mizzou."

At IMG Academy, Guarneri coached elite junior golfers, focusing on technical instruction and performance training. His approach included individualized swing analysis and data-driven coaching while collaborating with a multidisciplinary staff for tailored development plans.

Guarneri emphasizes empowering student-athletes through discipline and character building. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join Mizzou and contribute to the growth of these outstanding student-athletes," Guarneri expressed. "Helping them succeed, both in their game and in life, is what drives my passion for coaching."

Before IMG Academy, Guarneri competed in 19 events over two seasons at Eastern Kentucky, achieving five top-30 finishes including a 26th-place finish at the 2022 Atlantic Sun Championship. He also spent three seasons at the University of Cumberlands, earning All-Mid-South Conference accolades in 2020-21.

Guarneri holds a bachelor's degree in general business from Eastern Kentucky (2023) and another in business administration from Cumberlands (2021).