The Golf Coaches Association of America unveiled its 2023 Hall of Fame class on Thursday. The class includes Steve Card, Josh Gregory, Grier Jones, and Marlin “Cricket” Musch who will be formally inducted into the GCAA Hall of Fame on December 4 at a reception and awards dinner in Las Vegas.
Steve Card’s career spanned over 33 years in Western Washington’s athletic department, where he held various leadership positions. As the men’s golf coach from 1993 to 2013, his team achieved remarkable success with 45 tournament victories, including 10 conference and four regional championships. During his tenure, Western Washington made 12 appearances in the NCAA Championship and four appearances in the NAIA Championship.
Josh Gregory, former men’s golf coach and director of golf at Augusta State (now Augusta), has been instrumental in the program’s success. Under Gregory’s leadership, the team recorded 18 tournament wins, a program record. The highlight of his coaching career came when the Jaguars became the first team since Houston in 1984-1985 to win back-to-back NCAA Division I National Championships in 2010 and 2011. Gregory also mentored numerous successful players, including Bryson DeChambeau and Will Zalatoris.
Grier Jones, who coached at Wichita State from 1995 until his retirement in 2019, left an indelible mark on the program. During his tenure, the Shockers clinched 49 tournament victories, including 15 Missouri Valley Conference championships. In addition, Jones coached his players to 11 individual conference championships and led the team to 13 NCAA Division I regional appearances. Throughout his career, Jones received numerous accolades, including 13-time MVC Coach of the Year and being named to the MVC All-Centennial Team.
Marlin “Cricket” Musch made history as the head coach of the UTEP varsity program, transforming it from a club sport. His coaching achievements include the team’s national runner-up finish in the 1988 NCAA Division I National Championship, where they finished just three shots behind the champion UCLA. Musch was awarded the NCAA Division I Dave Williams National Coach of the Year honor in 1988. During his 30-year career in golf agency, Musch continued to make significant contributions to the sport.
The GCAA Hall of Fame was established in 1980 as a way to honor outstanding men’s college golf coaches. To be selected for induction, coaches must be nominated by their peers and chosen by the GCAA Hall of Fame Committee. The selection criteria consider not only a coach’s on-course record but also their contributions to the game, student-athletes, and school.
Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.
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