AUBURN, Ala. – Stadium applause generally drowns out golf claps, and Kim Evans has heard plenty of both.
One of Auburn’s most decorated coaches, Evans added another accolade, the Pamela Sheffield Award, when the Tigers hosted Missouri Oct. 18 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The Pamela Sheffield Award is presented annually to a woman who best embodies selfless service and commitment to Auburn University and the Auburn family.
“It’s always fun to be down on the field,” said Evans, Auburn’s women’s golf coach from 1994-2015. “I’m honored to be with these women; I’m honored to be a part of Auburn and that I was able to grow up here and continue to be a part of it.”
Established in 1991, the award is presented to an Auburn woman - alumna, student or friend - in whose life are manifested the qualities of Pam Sheffield's dedication to Auburn - love, commitment and, above all, quality.
“To be with the Sheffield family today and all these amazing women who have carried the torch for Auburn and our community, I’m honored and humbled,” said Evans, surrounded by former Sheffield Award recipients. “I can’t believe I’m here. I’m forever indebted to Auburn and what Auburn’s done for me.”
A member of the SEC’s 2016 Class of Women’s Legends, Evans led Auburn to eight SEC championships in 21 seasons as head women’s golf coach.
The five-time SEC coach of the year led Auburn to seven top 10 NCAA finishes and was inducted into the National Golf Coaches Hall of Fame in 2008.
In 2015, Evans became the first woman to win Auburn’s Walter Gilbert Award, presented annually to a former student-athlete who distinguishes themselves through achievement after graduation.
“Auburn has shaped me since I came to school here in ’77,” Evans said. "I owe everything I do every day in my service to Auburn and every bit of my career to Auburn.”
A 1981 Auburn University graduate, Evans coached two more seasons after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013 before transitioning to a role as special assistant to the Vice President Office of Student Affairs, working closely with the Veterans Resource Center.
She continues to serve the university on the Tigers Unlimited Board of Directors as well as the Auburn University Alumni Association Board of Directors, adding to a lengthy list of volunteer efforts that includes the End Child Hunger in Alabama initiative, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Lee-Russell Aging Foundation, Chicken Salad Chick Foundation, Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of Lee County.
“I feel like I owe Auburn so much for my career and for who I am today,” Evans said. “It does not bother me at all to get up every day and figure out how we can serve Auburn.”
Pamela Sheffield Award winners:
- 1991: Pamela Wells Sheffield
- 1992: Evelyn Jordan
- 1993: none
- 1994: none
- 1995: Sara Waid
- 1996: Jane Moore
- 1997: Jan Lisenby
- 1998: Jean Welsh
- 1999: Kym Prewitt
- 2000: Debbie Shaw
- 2001: Patsy Alford
- 2002: Caroline Draughon
- 2003: Pat Wingfield
- 2004: Susan Hubbard
- 2005: Carol Clark Laster
- 2006: Sandra Newkirk
- 2007: Rebecca Hatcher
- 2008: Carolyn Reed
- 2009: Mary Boudreaux
- 2010: Joyce Ringer
- 2011: Gwen Reid
- 2012: Susan Housel
- 2013: Susan Nunnelly
- 2014: Meredith Jenkins
- 2015: Judith Jehle
- 2016: Harriet Giles
- 2017: Kimberly Hudson
- 2018: Jennifer Jarvis
- 2019: Dr. Barb Struempler
- 2020-21: Dr. June Henton
- 2022: Ellyn Hix
- 2023: Becky Richardson
- 2024: Babs Anderson
- 2025: Kim Evans
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer