Finalists Named for Division I Dave Williams Award presented by Golf Pride Grips
SUGAR Grove, Ill. – Finalists for the Division I 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 Division I men’s golf. Williams Award and regional coach of the year recipients will be announced June 5.
The five finalists are Alan Bratton of Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt’s Scott Limbaugh, Casey Martin of Oregon, Baylor’s Mike McGraw, and Kent State’s Herb Page. If a team wins the NCAA Championship and its coach was not previously named a finalist for the Dave Williams Award that coach will be added for coach of the year consideration.
Bratton led Oklahoma State to five victories this season, including the NCAA Austin Regional. The Cowboys posted three runner-up finishes and did not place outside the top four in 12 events. Bratton’s charges led the Big 12 with four all-conference selections. Bratton was also a Williams Award finalist last season
The SEC Coach of the Year, Limbaugh led Vanderbilt to its first conference championship, one of two team titles this season. Vanderbilt finished no lower than sixth in 12 tournaments. Two Commodores were named first team All-SEC while two others earned second team and freshman of the year honors. Vanderbilt closed the regular season ranked first in the Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll.
Martin received Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors after leading Oregon to four team titles this season, including the conference championship. The Ducks placed in the top five in all 13 events. Wyndham Clark and Norman Xiong were Pac-12 Golfer and Freshman of the Year, respectively. Two additional Ducks earned second-team all-conference honors.
A two-time Williams Award recipient, McGraw led Baylor to four team wins, including a share of the title at the NCAA Stanford Regional. After opening the season with a 10th place showing, Baylor did not finish outside the top six in its remaining 10 events. Three Bears were named to the All-Big 12 team, including conference newcomer of the year Cooper Dossey.
Page led Kent State to five team titles, including the MAC Championship. The Golden Flashes also posted three runner-up finishes and only placed outside the top four once in 13 events. All five Kent State starters were named to the All-MAC First Team. He was named the conference’s Kermit Blosser Coach of the Year Award recipient.