GCAA Names Roberts New CEO
NORMAN, Okla. – The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) announced that, effective immediately, Dustin Roberts will assume the role of CEO/Executive Director. Gregg Grost has moved to the role of CEO Emeritus before transitioning to pursue other passions in golf.
Roberts will be responsible for leading all aspects of the GCAA’s operations and core functions. Since November 2002, he has served the association in a variety of functions, including Director of Communications, Deputy Director, and COO.
“We are certainly grateful for Gregg Grost and his numerous contributions to the GCAA,” said GCAA President Ryan Cabbage. “Our profession as college golf coaches and the Golf Coaches Association of America as a whole are both in a wonderful position due to his many years of hard work and dedication on our behalf. We now look forward to continuing to build on what Gregg has put in place with Dustin as our CEO.”
Grost was named Executive Director of the GCAA in September 2000 before being named CEO. He has a long association in college golf, beginning his playing career at McLennan Community College under Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Clayton before playing for coach Mel Thomas and graduating from TCU. Grost joined the coaching ranks as an Assistant Coach under Hall of Fame coach Dan Rogas at Lamar University in 1981. Before moving to the University of Oklahoma in the spring of 1986, Grost guided Lamar to three Southland Conference Championships and earned the first of his two Dave Williams National Coach of the Year Award honors. He led the Sooners to the NCAA title in 1989, claiming his second national coach of the year award honors. He was inducted into the GCAA Hall of Fame in 2005.
During Grost’s tenure, the GCAA membership doubled, now numbering more than 850. The association also went from debt to solid financial footing under his stewardship. Along with the WGCA (Women’s Golf Coaches Association), the GCAA has grown its national convention attendance from fewer than 150 to more than 340. Additionally, with partners the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, Rolex, and Nike, the Arnold Palmer Cup has grown from a competition between eight US men’s college golfers versus their counterparts from GB&I to an event that includes men’s and women’s college golfers from around the globe.
“I am excited about the new stage of my life with my family while pursuing opportunities in the game which I have wanted to focus on since retiring from coaching,” Grost said. “I am equally excited that the GCAA National Advisory Board has chosen Dustin Roberts to step into the CEO position at this time. Since the day he was hired over 20 years ago, he has exceeded all expectations with tireless effort on behalf of our member coaches. He is simply the right person at the right time!”
The GCAA will officially celebrate Grost’s tenure and contributions to college golf at its December national convention.
About Golf Coaches Association of America
Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of men's collegiate golf coaches. The GCAA's mission is to support its member coaches from six divisions, including the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA, by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic, and civic endeavors.