Finalists Announced for 2022 NCAA Division II Dave Williams Coach of the Year Award presented by Golf Pride Grips
NORMAN, Okla. — NCAA Division II finalists for the 2022 Dave Williams Award presented by Golf Pride Grips have been announced by the GCAA. The Williams Award honors the national coach of the year in NCAA Division II men’s golf.
The five finalists are Luke Calcatera of Arkansas Tech, John Maupin of Lee, Jeff Ray of Midwestern State, Jimmy Stobs of Barry, and Bryson Worley of North Georgia.
Calcatera, the Great American Conference Coach of the Year, helped lead Arkansas Tech to a program-record five victories in 2021-22, including in their first two fall tournaments. GAC Men’s Golfer of the Year Francois Jacobs starred during the spring for Calcatera.
The Flames won three tournaments this season, including the Gulf South Conference Championship, and Maupin was named GSC Coach of the Year. Three of his players earned All-GSC First Team honors in 2021-22.
Midwestern State, participating in their first-ever NCAA Division II Championships this week, won five times this season, including in their last four regular-season tournaments and the Lone Star Conference Championship. Three Mustangs earned All-LSC honors in 2021-22, including Jack Nicklaus Award finalist Jake Doggett.
Stobs and the Buccaneers won eight tournaments in 2021-22, including the Sunshine State Conference Championship, and were ranked No. 1 in the Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll throughout much of the season. The SSC Coach of the Year fielded three All-SSC players, including Golfer of the Year and Jack Nicklaus Award finalist AJ Ewart.
Worley led North Georgia to the first NCAA Division II National Championship appearance in school history this season while becoming the first Nighthawks head coach to win Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year honors. With three All-PBC performers, North Georgia finished in the top five eight times in 2021-22, winning three times.
All five finalists are coaching this week at the 2022 NCAA Division II Championships at TPC Michigan in Dearborn, Michigan.
About Golf Pride Grips
Since its founding in 1949, Golf Pride has become synonymous with the highest quality performance equipment in golf. Today, from its Global Innovation Center (GIC) in Pinehurst, NC, Golf Pride continues to lead in grip innovation by continuing to obsess over the only connection between our golfers’ hands and the club. That’s why more than 80% of the world’s highest-performing golfers choose Golf Pride. For professionals, top amateurs, and recreational golfers of all skill levels, Golf Pride sets the standard - in performance and style. To learn more about Golf Pride, go to golfpride.com.