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McPherson To Lead ASU Golf
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Kevin McPherson was appointed head men's golf coach at Augusta State University on Wednesday, July 27 during an 11:00 a.m., news conference at the J. Fleming Norvell Golf House.
Augusta State Director of Athletics Clint Bryant introduced McPherson, a native of Conway, S.C., to a throng of supporters at the Jaguars' golf facility. With his appointment, he became the fifth head coach in the program's history.
ASU had been without a head coach since June 11, when two-time National Coach-Of-The-Year Josh Gregory accepted the same position at his alma mater, Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas.
"We completed a comprehensive national search that brought in five highly-qualified candidates for on-campus interviews," said Bryant. "All were very capable of performing the duties of head golf coach here at Augusta State University. Kevin McPherson, one of our own, proved through this process that he was qualified to take on the responsibilities of this position. We're extremely excited about his appointment and look forward to Kevin's leadership in his new role."
McPherson, 31, spent the last three seasons as the head women's golf coach at ASU. Under his direction, the Lady Jaguars registered two victories and 15 top-five finishes in 29 events, including five individual medalists.
McPherson played a vital role as assistant men's coach during the Jags' victory at the NCAA Championships in Stillwater, Okla. He also served as acting coach and accompanied the team to the first event of last season, the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Intercollegiate, after the birth of Gregory's son.
"I'm extremely excited and I appreciate everyone's support and confidence in me to continue the success of this wonderful program," McPherson said. "We had some great candidates from some of the best programs in the country apply for this position. It gives me great pride knowing our administration, players and boosters all supported me throughout this search. Our golf team has the reputation of being one of the elite Division I programs in the country. A lot of credit goes to hiring some of the best collegiate coaches in the history of the sport. I'm humbled to follow in their footsteps and look forward to continuing our winning tradition."
During the 2010-11 season, McPherson led the Lady Jaguars to their second NCAA Regional appearance in the program's 10-year history when they earned an at-large bid to the East Regional in Daytona Beach, Fla. ASU posted a 301.53 stroke average for the season, which marked a school record and represented nearly an eight-stroke improvement from the time McPherson took over the program.
Under McPherson, ASU set school records for the lowest team round (4-under 284) at the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate on Feb. 21, 2010 and the lowest 36-hole team total of 582 (289-293) in the 2011 Insperity Lady Jaguar Intercollegiate.
McPherson first arrived in Augusta in 2008, when he was introduced as the fourth head coach of the Lady Jaguar golf program on July 17, 2008.
He spent the previous two seasons as the men's and women's assistant coach at the University of Central Florida. During his tenure in Orlando, McPherson aided in all aspects of the Golden Knight men's and women's programs, including recruiting, academic monitoring, scheduling and individual instruction, as well as the hosting of three intercollegiate tournaments.
While at UCF, McPherson aided a men's squad that advanced to postseason play in both 2006-07 and 2007-08, while the Golden Knight women's program earned an NCAA East Regional bid in 2007-08 as well.
Prior to joining the Central Florida staff, McPherson held two other positions within the golf industry. He served as an assistant professional at both the International Club of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet, S.C., from 2000-02 and at Burning Ridge Golf Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C., from 1998-2000.
A 2006 graduate of Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., McPherson earned a B.A. in Sports Management. During his career at The Abbey, McPherson was a Carolinas Conference (formerly Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference) all-league selection. He served as team captain as a senior and helped lead the Crusaders to consecutive NCAA Atlantic Regional berths.
McPherson began his collegiate career at Brevard Community College in Cocoa, Fla., and led BCC to back-to-back NJCAA National Championship appearances. He captured medalist honors at the 2004 Northwood University Intercollegiate.
McPherson's golf pedigree comes honestly. His younger sister, Kristy, is an accomplished LPGA Tour star who was a member of the victorious 2009 United States Solheim Cup team. She gained fame by participating in Golf Channel's reality series "Big Break VI" and she served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Lady Jags during the 2011 NCAA East Regional in Daytona Beach, Fla.
A 1998 graduate of Conway (S.C.) High School, McPherson resides in Augusta.
The Kevin McPherson File
Full Name
Kevin Bruce McPherson
Birthday
May 21, 1980 (born in Myrtle Beach, S.C.)
Hometown
Conway, S.C.
Education
Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, N.C., 2004-06
B.A. in Sports Management, 2006
Brevard Community College, Cocoa, Fla., 2002-04
A.A., 2004
Playing Experience
Two-year letterwinner at Belmont Abbey College, 2004-06
Team captain as a senior during 2005-06 season
Conference selection as a senior in 2005-06 (Conference Carolinas/formerly Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference)
Two-year letterwinner at Brevard Community College, 2002-04
Played in two NJCAA Division I National Championships
Medalist at 2004 Northwood University Intercollegiate
Coaching Experience
AUGUSTA STATE, HEAD WOMEN'S GOLF COACH, July, 2008-11
Guided Lady Jaguars to second NCAA Regional appearance in school history in 2011
Guided ASU to two victories, 15 top-five finishes in three seasons (29 events) and five medalists
In less than three years, improved 51 spots in national rankings, moving up to No. 52 in final 2010-11 ranking
Led program to new school record for single-season stroke average (301.53) in 2010-11 (through regular season)
Led Lady Jaguars to lowest team round in school history (4-under 284) at Kiawah Island Intercollegiate on Feb. 21, 2010
Tutored 3 NGCA All-American Scholars and two ASU Freshman Student-Athlete-Of-The-Year selections
Central Florida, Assistant Men's and Women's Golf Coach, 2006-08
Assisted in all phases of the program including on-course coaching, recruiting, academic monitoring, scheduling and hosting three collegiate tournaments
Designed and aided in day-to-day construction of new practice facility for both programs
Coached Conference USA Women's Golf Freshman-Of-The-Year in 2006-07
Signed No. 1 player in the state of Florida and (No. 7 nationally), 16th-ranked player in the nation and No. 4 junior-college prospect in the Fall of 2007
Other Experience
Assistant Golf Professional, International Club of Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, S.C., 2000-02
Assistant Golf Professional, Burning Ridge Golf Club, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 1998-2000
Family
Father: David, Mother: Janice, Sisters: Michelle and Kristy, Brother: Jarrod
