By: Wilson Wong (Coordinator, Varsity Sport Reporting)

BURNABY, B.C. – She made her impact on SFU Women's Golf as a player, now Belinda Lin is returning to Burnaby Mountain to lead the program.
 
Lin will serve as the Red Leafs' head coach for the 2026-27 NCAA season, replacing Krysta Schaus, who has accepted a new role in Toronto.
 
"Honestly, I was a bit shocked at first when I received the info about this position as I didn't see myself returning so soon," remarked Lin. "But it's a fantastic full-circle moment to return to SFU to lead the women's golf program.
 
"Having played on the team myself during my time as a student, it feels great to be back. I really missed college golf and the experience of traveling and competing with teammates. I want to generate that energy and make sure the players are having a great time. I'm looking forward to sharing my experience with the program. Having been in their shoes before, I know exactly what it's like to be a student-athlete, and I want to ensure the players have a great experience."
 
After graduating from Semiahmoo Secondary School in Surrey, B.C., Lin competed with SFU between 2015 and 2019. She was an instrumental part of one of the program's most successful eras, winning the first three GNAC team championships in school history over four seasons (2016, 2017 and 2019).
 

Lin helped SFU earn a ninth-place finish at the 2017 NCAA Division II Super Region 4 Tournament and a sixth-place result at the 2019 NCAA Div. II West Super Region event. These are SFU's best-ever team placings in NCAA championship play.
 
Individually, Lin earned Second Team All-GNAC honours in 2016 and was named to the First Team in 2019, her senior season in which she served as team captain. She completed that year fifth in GNAC scoring average. Over the course of her career, Lin recorded four top-5 finishes and a dozen top-10 results.

She completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2020 and became a professional golfer in 2021.
 
Lin tied for first at the 2023 Illinois Women's Open in Romeoville, Ill., and was third at the PGA of Canada Women's Championship in Kingsville, Ont., that same year.
 
She captured second place at the 2022 Cactus Tour stop at the Mountain Brook Golf Club in Gold Canyon, Ariz.
 
Lin is a member of the PGA of Canada and has concurrently worked in the coaching and instructional environment for the last two years while playing competitively. She is currently a Teaching Professional at the Pacific Golf Academy in Richmond, B.C.
 
"We happy to have a successful SFU women's golf alumnus return and take over the program in its final NCAA season," said Breanne Watson, SFU Director, Athletics & Business Operations. "Belinda had great success as an athlete in the GNAC and NCAA and we are confident she is the right person to lead our women through the 2026-27 season."
 
Schaus will depart SFU in mid-June, after two triumphant seasons as the head coach of the men's and women's golf teams. She guided SFU to two GNAC women's team championships and was recognized as the conference's Women's Coach of the Year in both seasons.
 
"A massive thank you to Krysta. She has had incredible success in such a short timeframe at SFU," said Watson. Not only is Krysta a great coach, but she's been quiet leader in the department during a challenging period of change. We will miss her but has left the golf program in great form - and know she will excel at her next stop in Toronto."
 

The Red Leafs men's team captured the 2025 GNAC title under Schaus, who was honoured as the Men's Coach of the Year that same season.
 
Both teams qualified for their respective NCAA regional tournaments in every year Schaus was head coach. SFU golf had 19 all-GNAC selections, and two major player award wins over the last two seasons.
 
"I am incredibly grateful for my three years at SFU," said Schaus. "Leading an NCAA golf program had been a goal of mine for many years, and having the opportunity to do so was truly a dream come true. While the victories and accomplishments along the way will always be memorable, what I will cherish most is the opportunity to work with such an outstanding group of student-athletes.
 
"My goal was to build high-performance programs where strong habits, accountability, and competitive excellence were expected, while creating an environment where students genuinely enjoyed coming to practice each day. As SFU Golf enters its final year in the NCAA, I am confident the programs are positioned for continued success. The culture, standards, and people within the program provide a strong foundation for the future, and I look forward to watching the student-athletes make the most of every opportunity that lies ahead."
 
Schaus believes Lin – who competed for SFU under previous coaches John Buchanan and Matt Steinbach – will be a tremendous ambassador for the Red Leafs.
 
"Belinda's first-hand experience as an NCAA student-athlete, combined with her success as a professional golfer and coach, makes her an excellent fit to lead the SFU Women's Golf program," commented Schaus. "She understands the challenges and opportunities our student-athletes face because she has lived them herself. Her experience, credibility, and passion for player development will allow her to make an immediate impact on the program."