Weber State University Men’s Golf Head Coach Dave Kearl has announced he will step down as head coach of the Wildcats golf team, effective Jan. 1, 2012 to pursue other opportunities. Kearl has been the head coach of the Wildcats since 2000.
Kearl said that leaving the golf team is bittersweet, and he will miss the time that he is confident that the team will continue to succeed and grow.
“It is with mixed feelings that I pursue this different path,” Kearl said, “but with the quality of the guys on the team, the conference formation complete, and the steady influence of Coach (Jeff) Smith, I feel the Wildcats will have continued success.”
Kearl said that
[/media-credit]
“I thank Weber State for the opportunity the last 11 years have brought me,” Kearl said. “I am especially proud of the quality of student-athletes that have played for Weber State over the years. They are the reason for the success we have achieved.”
As head coach of the Wildcats Kearl has led WSU to four conference titles. In his first season in 2000 he led the ‘Cats to a Big Sky title and advanced to the NCAA West Region Championships. He was named Big Sky Coach of the Year in 2001. The following year the Wildcats repeated as Big Sky champions and Kearl was once again honored as Coach of the Year.
After the Big Sky discontinued men’s golf Kearl was a driving force behind the formation of the America Sky Conference, a golf-only league that features teams from across the nation. Kearl’s squad won the inaugural America Sky Conference title in 2007 at Valley View Golf Course in Layton. In 2011 the Wildcats once again captured the conference title at Troon North.
WSU Director of Athletics, Jerry Bovee said that Kearl has done a lot to help the golf program grow, and will be missed by the athletic department.
“Dave has done a fantastic job as our men’s golf coach at Weber State,” Bovee said. “He has been vital in helping our team continue to play in a conference and his athletes have excelled on the course and in the classroom. We wish him the best in the future.”
Under Kearl’s direction Weber State has had two athletes win conference medalist honors and has had 12 All-Conference selections. In addition under his guidance, the Wildcats have had eight Academic All-Americans and numerous team G.P.A. and Academic All-Conference honors.
Kearl has been a member of the PGA of America since 1982 and worked as a golf professional at several courses in the area, including Bountiful Ridge, Valley View, and Oakridge Country Club.
He will continue to coach the Wildcats the remainder of the fall 2011 season. WSU Director of Golf and Head Women’s Golf Coach Jeff Smith will oversee day-to-day operations of men’s and women’s golf.
Bovee said that he will take this opportunity to reevaluate the golf program, and devise a plan that will help the team continue to grow.
“As with any change it’s a good time to evaluate the structure of the program and determine how to continue to build success for the future,” Bovee said.
Kearl said that he feels the team will continue to be a strong player in collegiate golf, and will keep growing.
“I feel strongly about the nucleus of this year’s young team and know they will be successful going forward. “
