by Erika Spivey, UMW University Relations
The University of Mary Washington launches its first season of men's varsity golf with a tournament on Monday, Sept. 12, becoming the first sport added to UMW's athletic program since 1998.
Coach Wood with members of the men's golf team.Under leadership from Head Coach Rod Wood and Assistant Coach Sam Oglesby, the team will play and practice at Augustine Golf Club in Stafford County and train with Raspberry Golf management, a golf consultation firm. The 11-member team, including 10 first-year students and one transfer student, will compete in its first of five fall season tournaments September 12-13 at Lakeview Golf Club in Harrisonburg, Va. The spring season will start in February and culminate with CAC Championships in April.
"The addition of men's golf is reflective of our commitment to a broad-based program with many different opportunities for participation," said Ken Tyler, director of UMW athletics. "Men's golf is our 22nd sport and women's golf will become our 23rd next fall, which puts us among the top NCAA institutions in terms of sports sponsored."
Wood is the former UMW Men's basketball coach and current director of athletic facilities. He previously coached golf at Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield, Va., where he led the team to two conference championships and coached current PGA Tour Professional Kris Blanks.
"I look forward to working with all of our players," said Wood, who hopes the team will be competitive in the CAC Championship this year. "We have a brand new program so we will all be learning."
A U.S. Golf Teachers certified coach, Oglesby brings more than 15 years of golf instruction experience and multiple golfing certifications to the team. He was a member of the Marine Corps golf team between 1986 and 2002, serving as coach for the last three years. He also holds wins in three events as part of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour in Northern Virginia.
UMW will add women's varsity golf for the 2017-18 academic year with UMW alumna and former basketball All-American Katie Wimmer '12 as head coach.