GCAA Hall of Fame Member Dick McGuire Passes Away
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that the Lobos announce the loss of former UNM golf coach Dick McGuire. A Mangum, Oklahoma native, McGuire passed away from widespread metastatic cancer on Friday evening, June 23. McGuire was UNM's men's golf coach from 1954-77.
McGuire graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1945 and enrolled at UNM. He became the Lobos' No. 1 golfer and a three-year letterman. He received his degree in Secondary Education in 1952.
Upon graduation, McGuire launched his coaching career at Highland High School where his golf teams posted a 28-3 match play record and won two state titles in his first two seasons.
Born in 1927, McGuire began an amazing run at UNM in 1954. He was head men's golf coach from 1954-77, recording 38 team championships, 10 of which were conference titles, and 41 times he had individuals claim medalist honors. In 1956, McGuire started the UNM women's golf program with the Lobos' first women's golfer Patti Howard Olliges.
McGuire was the Head Professional and Director of Golf from 1954-87 and directed numerous high profile tournaments hosted by UNM, including NCAA Championships and the William H. Tucker Invitational 22 times. He also helped supervise the construction of the UNM South Golf Course. McGuire was the first coach to have multiple teams at a collegiate golf event, rather than a match between two schools.
The Professional Golf Association named him Golf Professional of the Year in 1978. In 1979, the prestigious William H. Tucker women's tournament was renamed the Dick McGuire Invitational. In 1980, McGuire was inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of America's National Hall of Fame.
Following his retirement in 1987, one could see him every Tuesday and Thursday at the Championship Course playing with his longtime group of friends.
A viewing will be held on Friday, June 30 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at French Funerals (1111 University NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102). Funeral services will follow on Saturday, July 1 at First Baptist Church-Bosque Farms at 10 a.m. (1350 Bosque Farms Blvd, Bosque Farms, NM, 87068).
To celebrate the life of Dick McGuire, the family has made arrangements for memorial gifts to be made, in lieu of flowers, to the University of New Mexico. Memorial contributions can be mailed to the UNM Foundation, Two Woodward Center, 700 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 or made online at https://www.unmfund.org/fund/memorials-tributes/, for the Dick McGuire Memorial Golf Fund.
Here are a few words from both of UNM's golf coaches, Jill Trujillo and Glen Millican.
Head Women's Golf Coach Jill Trujillo
"We have lost the Godfather of UNM golf," said Trujillo. "Coach McGuire was the women's team founder and continued to further the game of golf for all. I am so humbled to be a product of his vision. His advice was invaluable and I will always cherish the time I spent with him."
Head Men's Golf Coach Glen Millican
"I will personally miss Coach McGuire," said Millican. "Having him around our course and around our program was something I will always remember. I was very lucky to have the times I did to visit with him and talk about helping college golfers and managing a program. He was a man of great character and someone I aspire to become like. He is the man responsible for setting the standard of Lobo Golf and I think of his accomplishments and his reputation every day. His example and career has made our program a very special place to compete, study and work for so many Lobo Golfers. Coach will be missed by Lobo Golf and we hope to continue on the path he set for us during his time here."