#486 "Give the stage to the players and you will be surprised how they can shine" with Anne Walker, 4x NCAA Champion Coach of Stanford Women's Golf

Anne Walker is the Head Coach for Women's Golf at Stanford University, and has established herself as one of the premier college coaches in the country. In addition to leading the Cardinal to its first four NCAA titles in school history (2015, 2022, 2024, 2026), Walker has mentored some of the most recognizable names in the sport. Stanford has enjoyed unprecedented team and individual success under Walker. The Cardinal has qualified for the NCAA Championships in all 14 possible seasons during Walker's tenure, including nine appearances in the national semifinals, and has earned the distinction of being the only program in the country to reach the NCAA match play quarterfinal stage in all 11 seasons of the current format. Under Walker's guidance, Stanford has captured 59 full-field victories and has produced 42 All-Americans. Stanford has had at least one first-team All-American in all 14 seasons with Walker at the helm, including three consecutive seasons of five All-Americans A three-time WGCA National Coach of the Year (2015, 2022, 2024) and five-time conference Coach of the Year (2015, 2021-22, 2024, 2026), Walker has mentored the likes of Rachel Heck, Andrea Lee, Paula Martín Sampedro, Mariah Stackhouse, Albane Valenzuela and Rose Zhang, a heralded group that has combined to win three NCAA individual titles, three ANNIKA Award honors, three WCGA Golfer of the Year Award nods and six conference Golfer of the Year Award accolades. In our conversation today, we speak about the importance of giving players autonomy and ownership of the experience, how to lead with love, the importance of optimism, and being a lifelong learner. Walker shares stories around incredible team meetings and coaching moments throughout her 24-year career. You will want to take notes for this one.   CAPTAIN: THE ATHLETE'S GUIDE TO BEING AN EXCEPTIONAL TEAM LEADER is now live on Amazon!  CLICK HERE TO ORDER We are constantly asked "where have all the leaders gone?" Now more than ever, it is up to schools, clubs and coaches to develop our leaders, and this new book is a perfect guide to train and develop them. It is filled with stories of champion team captains on the professional and college level, Hall of Fame coaches, and more, and is a masterclass on leadership. Your athletes will learn from leaders such as Carles Puyol Abby Wambach, Tim Duncan, Shane Battier, Richie McCaw, Carla Overbeck and Simone Biles. It will help your athletes understand the qualities needed to lead, the responsibilities they must accept, and the most common challenges they will face. The chapters are short and sweet and have discussion questions so that your leaders can work through them together and set your team up for great success. The book also comes with a  FREE downloadable 10-session curriculum so you can guide your team or the leaders in your school or club through the entire book.  FOR ORDERS OF 10 OR MORE, WE OFFER A $5 PER BOOK DISCOUNT. EMAIL John@ChangingTheGameProject.com to place your order. BOOK A SPEAKER: Interested in having John or one of our speaking team present to your school, club or coaching event, either in person or virtually? Looking for leadership training for your student athletes, a coach development workshop or parent education? We are still booking Fall 2026 events, please email us to set up an introductory call John@ChangingTheGameProject.com PUT IN YOUR BULK BOOK ORDERS FOR OUR BESTSELLING BOOKS, AND JOIN 2026 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS FROM SYRACUSE MENS LAX, UNC AND NAVY WOMENS LAX, AND MORE! These are just the most recent championship teams using THE CHAMPION TEAMMATE book with their athletes and support teams. Many of these coaches are also getting THE CHAMPION SPORTS PARENT so their team parents can be part of a successful culture. Schools and clubs are using EVERY MOMENT MATTERS for staff development and book clubs. Are you?  We have been fulfilling numerous bulk orders for some of the top high school and collegiate sports programs in the country, will your team be next? Click here to visit John's author page on Amazon Click here to visit Jerry's author page on Amazon Please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com if you want discounted pricing on 10 or more books on any of our books.