CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Christian Pickerel has stepped down as Queens University of Charlotte Director of Golf, the Department of Athletics announced today. Pickerel spent one season at the helm after joining the staff in 2025-26.
 
"We are incredibly grateful for Christian's leadership and the impact he has made on Queens Golf, said Director of Athletics Cherie Swarthout. "His commitment to developing exceptional student-athletes, fostering a culture of excellence, and representing Queens with integrity has strengthened our program in countless ways. We thank Christian for his dedication to our university and wish him, Kelsey, and their family nothing but continued success as they begin this exciting new chapter."
 
In their fourth season as a Division 1 program, Pickerel led the Queens men's golf team to a ninth-place finish at the 2025-26 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship. Throughout the season, the men's golf team put together outstanding performances on day one of tournaments. At the Bryan National Collegiate Tournament hosted by UNCG to open the fall season, the Royals were locked into fifth place out of 14 teams after day one. A month later at the Phoenix Invitational, Queens sat fourth after the opening round and carried their momentum into day two and placed fifth out of 16 teams.
 
The Royals women's team started the fall season with a fourth-place finish at the Tribe Invitational hosted by William and Mary. A season later, Queens opened the spring with a seventh-place finish at the Battle at the Beach hosted by Stonehill. The Royals made their fourth straight ASUN Tournament appearance and placed 12^th as a team, as Karolyn Rombouts led the charge with a top 25 finish, shooting 10 over par.
 
Pickerel came to the Queen City following immense success at Lincoln Memorial University as the assistant women's golf coach. While in Harrogate, Pickerel led the Railsplitters to their best season scoring average in program history as they were ranked in the top 25 for the first time in LMU history. The next season, Lincoln Memorial maintained its top 25 ranking, while the men's team finished inside the top 10 at the NCAA Championships.
 
Queens Athletics will share additional information regarding the men's and women's golf leadership in a forthcoming release. The search for a new men's golf coach is underway.
 
Be sure to follow the Royals women's golf team on Facebook, Instagram, and X to stay up to date on all the latest news surrounding the team. Follow the Royals men's golf team on Facebook, Instagram, and X to stay updated. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics to stay updated on all the Royals sports teams in action by searching @QueensAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.