Men's & Women's Golf Head Coach
John Utley
John Utley named Head Golf Coach for the Cougars
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Columbia, Mo. - John Utley has been hired on as the head men’s and women’s golf coach at Columbia College. The Cougars announced the addition of men’s and women’s golf in late August in conjunction with adding women’s soccer and men’s and women’s cross country. The Cougar golf teams will begin competing in the 2012-13 school year.
“I would like to thank Bob Burchard and the Columbia College Athletic Department Staff for allowing me this opportunity,” stated Utley. “I also want to thank all of those who have supported and encouraged me through the process. I am honored to now be a Columbia College Cougar!”
Prior to joining the Cougars, Utley was a volunteer assistant men’s golf coach at the University of Missouri - Columbia since 2009 where he worked directly with players during practice and competition. John is also the director of instruction at The Club at Old Hawthorne here in Columbia. He works with golfers of all levels in private instruction, group clinics, corporate outings and multi-day camps.
John also currently serves as the business manager for SFU, Inc., his brother Stan Utley’s business. John states that his best learning experience in golf has come from being a PGA Tour Caddie for his brother back in 1994.
“We are very excited to have John Utley join our coaching staff,” said Columbia Athletic Director Bob Burchard. “John is a well-known and respected teacher of the game, has playing experience at the highest levels of golf, is a person of outstanding character, and has collegiate coaching experience. I know John is extremely enthusiastic about the challenge and opportunity to build a competitive collegiate men’s and women’s golf program for Columbia College.”
Utley will handle start-up issues of the program, such as scheduling and recruiting, during the 2011-12 academic year. The team will begin competing in 2012-13 as a member of the American Midwest Conference and NAIA Division I.
John is a 1990 graduate of the University of Missouri. He holds a bachelor of science in Design Management and Merchandising. While attending, John was a four-year lettermen with the men’s golf program, earning Honorable Mention All-American accolades as a senior. Following graduation John competed as a professional golfer, including membership in the Nationwide Tour in 1992.
A native of West Plains, Mo., Utley was a member of the MSHSAA State Golf Championship Class 3A Team in 1986 as well as a Medalist Champion.
"This is an exciting time for Cougar Athletics. I too am very excited about being a part of these new beginnings with chance and challenges of building teams from the ground up. Very seldom does a coach get to start from a clean slate like this. I believe that through my golf experiences and contacts, I will be able to bring in the quality of student athletes that Columbia College and the athletic program will be proud to have as members of its institution."
