All Fore Davidson: L. D. Simmons ’81 On and Off the Course
August 11, 2026
- Author
- Danielle Strickland
Simmons (right) coaching at the 2023 NCAA Championship in Las Vegas
Next to marrying his wife and raising their children, L. D. Simmons ’81 says attending Davidson College was the best decision he’s ever made.
“I grew up in West Virginia and wanted to head south and play golf at a school with high academics,” Simmons said. My mom was a college professor, and she suggested Davidson. UVA also was on the short list, but their coach did not recruit me. I got into both, and I’m pretty sure my aunt never believed I got into UVA because she figured if you were accepted there, you’d go. Davidson truly was a gift my mom gave me, and it was the perfect place for me.”
Simmons showed up on campus eager to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a doctor, but calculus class convinced him that it would be difficult to be a STEM major and play college golf. Economics proved to be a better fit.
Golf at Davidson was different in the 1970s. During his senior year, Simmons took on the unexpected task of walking dormitory hallways to recruit additional players because they did not have five available to field a team.
“We weren’t very good, but I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything,” he said.
L. D. swinging
1981 Davidson Golf Team (Simmons front second from left)
Davidson may be an even bigger part of Simmons’ life today than it was when he was a student. He married Marci, the sister of his freshman roommate, Ed Imbrogno ’81, who was also on the golf team. All three Simmons kids became Wildcats: Grace Lee ’15, Andy ’17 and Will ’20. Andy and Will played on the golf team (without needing to hunt down teammates). Will even shared an advisor with his dad — Professor Clark Ross.
“I had Dr. Ross as my faculty advisor his very first semester at Davidson,” Simmons said. “I would say my experience was similar to my son’s, but Will was a much better student than I was.”
Four Simmons Wildcats with President Emerita Carol Quillen
Throughout a long career as a litigation attorney and a busy personal life raising three children, golf and alma mater remained constants. Today, Simmons serves the college as the golf program’s assistant coach, mental performance coach and a long-time member of the Dr. Tom Scott Memorial Golf Tournament Committee, which has been going strong for 26 years.
“I got involved in mental performance coaching in the spring of 2020. There was a need,” he said. “I started with junior players, and that fall, I began work with the Davidson team. Since then, the practice has grown outside of the college team, and my private clients include junior players, college players, mid-amateurs, senior amateurs and professionals. The skills I teach apply to all athletes, but I made a decision to focus on golf.”
As a student, Simmons earned All-Conference honors in 1978 and was the Elon University Invitational individual champion in 1981. He had dreams as a junior of playing the tour, but reality set in very quickly, and he turned to a career in law. He continues to play competitive golf and qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship just three years ago. In addition to his own success, he’s been a key contributor to the Davidson Golf Program’s accolades alongside Head Coach Tim Straub; the team has racked up four A-10 Conference championships over the past six years.
“L. D. loves Davidson College and Davidson Golf,” said Head Golf Coach Tim Straub. “Throughout my time as coach, he has worked tirelessly to help with fundraising and alumni engagement."
Recently, he has been instrumental in helping to develop our scholar-athletes, and it is no coincidence that our team has won many tournaments and A-10 titles. I can’t thank L. D. enough for all his contributions.
Head Golf Coach
Beyond giving back to the sport he loves, Simmons also supports his classmates and their connections to campus, most recently serving as the gift chair for their 45th reunion. It’s no surprise he was previously honored with the Alumni Service Award for his tireless commitment to Davidson, including service to campaign committees, reunion committees and as a member of the Parents Council.
“Davidson gave me everything, and I think its mission is even more valuable today than it was when I was in school,” he said. “It is my obligation to give back, but I’m also happy to do it. I love it.”
