The University of Mary Washington will add men’s golf as a varsity athletic program beginning in fall 2016.
Rod Wood, former men’s basketball coach and current Director of Athletic Facilities, will serve as the program’s head coach.
“UMW is in a prime location for golf,” said UMW Director of Athletics Ken Tyler. “We’re very pleased to add men’s golf to our varsity athletic program and look forward to the many benefits it will bring to our athletic department, the university, and our community. Rod Wood is a proven coach and recruiter with a great deal of experience and connections in the sport of golf, and he will be an excellent leader for our program.”
The school will spend the next year and a half recruiting talented student-athletes and planning for the first tee shot in August 2016. The program will be immediately eligible for CAC and NCAA championships.
“It’s exciting to start a program from scratch,” said Wood. “Golf has always been a passion of mine, and I look forward to working with the students we plan to recruit.” Wood’s first coaching job was with the golf team at Robert E. Lee High School, where he coached PGA Tour Professional Kris Blanks.
The University is also looking to add women’s golf in either the fall of 2016 or 2017.
