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GCAA Hall of Fame Member Jesse Haddock Passes Away

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Jesse Haddock, a member of the Wake Forest Hall of Fame and who led the Deacons to three national titles and 15 ACC titles in men’s golf, died on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:30 a.m. He was 91 years old.

During his 32-year career as the head coach of Wake Forest men’s golf from 1960-92, Coach Haddock put the program on the map. A 1952 graduate of Wake Forest University, Haddock served as an assistant golf coach to Bones McKinney for five years.. Haddock served as assistant athletic director at his alma mater after his graduation. When McKinney resigned as golf coach in 1960 to focus on basketball, he named Haddock as his successor.

Coach Haddock would elevate the Demon Deacon golf program into one of the best in the nation. His teams turned out a virtual “who’s-who” of the PGA Tour and Champions Tour. He coached 63 All-Americans, won 10 straight ACC Championships from 1967 to 1976 and 15 ACC titles overall, captured three national titles in 1974, 1975, and 1986, and finished second in the NCAA Tournament three times. A number of his stars went on to outstanding careers on the PGA tour, including Curtis Strange ('77), Lanny Wadkins ('72), Jay Haas ('76), Jerry Haas ('85), Scott Hoch ('78), Gary Hallberg ('80), Jay Sigel ('67), Billy Andrade ('87), Jim Simons and Len Mattiace.

For his many notable accomplishments, Haddock was named to the GCAA Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame and the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame. He was National Coach of the Year three times, and twice was selected to coach the Japan/USA NCAA All-Stars. In addition, the $4.5 million Haddock House serves as the home for the men's and women's golf programs while also showcasing the history and tradition of Wake Forest golf.

Jesse Haddock was born in Pitt County, North Carolina on Jan. 21, 1927.