Impact
Records
Kaiwen Liu
Torrey Pines High School
Impact Statement
Liu won the California Interscholastic Federation’s San Diego Section individual championship, which helped Torrey Pines High School win the team championship.
Biography
Kaiwen Liu closed-out his high school career by finishing tied for sixth at the California Interscholastic Federation’s Boys’ State Golf Championships.
Liu, who has accepted a scholarship from the University of California at Berkeley, shot 1-over par, which helped his team finish in third place. As a junior, Liu won the California Interscholastic Federation’s San Diego Section individual championship, which helped Torrey Pines High School win the team championship.
Last year he was named to the Rolex Juniors All-America second team. Liu was born in two hours outside of Shanghai, China. He began playing golf at eight years old. Liu is the third California athlete to win the NHSCA Boys’ Senior Golf Athlete of the Year Award.
Lui continued his success at Berkeley. Over the course of his career, he has two top five and 3 top ten finishes. He was honored with the Ben Furth Award. In his final season, he tied in 41st place at the NCAA Championships.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Edmond North High school
Doherty left a dynasty at Edmond North with 12 state titles to his coaching resume.
Doherty left a dynasty at Edmond North with 12 state titles to his coaching resume.
Jeff Doherty
Edmond North High school
Impact Statement
Doherty left a dynasty at Edmond North with 12 state titles to his coaching resume.
Biography
Doherty has presided over a powerhouse at Edmond North.
This spring, the Huskies won their eighth consecutive 6A state team title, one of the nation’s longest current streaks, winning the 54-hole state meet by 27 strokes. Doherty’s 2006 title team also was the state academic champion. His girls team finished fifth this spring, and his boys and girls teams each have a pair of state runner-up finishes as well.
A 32-year teaching and coaching veteran, Doherty has coached golf for 25 years, but also has coached basketball for 32 years. He taught U.S. History at Midwest City High School for 11 years, and today teaches physical education at Cheyenne Middle School in Edmond, where he also coaches eighth-grade basketball and seventh-grade football, and he also serves as the clock operator at Edmond North’s football games. Doherty is the Region 8 representative for the Oklahoma Golf Coaches Association.
He has been named Boys Golf Coach of the Year four times and Girls Golf Coach of the Year twice by The Daily Oklahoman and is a three-time Oklahoma Secondary Schools Athletic Association Region 8 Coach of the Year. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) named Doherty its Southwest Region Coach of the Year in 2008. This year, the NFHS honored him as its National Coach of the Year.
After being honored, Doherty continued to lead Edmond North until his retirement after the 2018 season. He coached a total of 12 State Championship teams and seven state individual champs over his career.
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Professional Achievements
Hunterdon Central High School
“”I hope I instilled some discipline in them. To be a good golfer, you need some discipline.” -Larry Ries
“”I hope I instilled some discipline in them. To be a good golfer, you need some discipline.” -Larry Ries
Larry Ries
Hunterdon Central High School
Impact Statement
“”I hope I instilled some discipline in them. To be a good golfer, you need some discipline.” -Larry Ries
Biography
Ries has coached four sports at Hunterdon Central over more than 30 seasons. He has more than 800 victories as a varsity head coach in golf and boys soccer, and also had successful runs coaching the Red Devils’ freshman basketball and baseball teams.
Ries is currently in his 30th season as golf coach, for which he also was named National Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations this year. Last spring, Ries guided the Hunterdon Central golfers to Team of the Year honors from The Newark Star-Ledger.
The Red Devils posted a 16-1 record in 2010, winning Hunterdon County and Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament championships and Skyland Conference, Group 4 Central-South Jersey Section, state and Tournament of Champions titles, the latter the second of Ries’ career.
Through last spring, his teams had a record of 467-105-1 and won 19 conference titles, 10 sectional titles, four Group 4 state titles and the 1992 Tournament of Champions title. Ries was named Coach of the Year by The Star-Ledger in 2008 and the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association in 2010. He also started the girls golf team at Hunterdon Central.
As the school’s soccer coach for 29 seasons, retiring in 2007, Ries’ teams had a record of 332-177-63, with 26 winning seasons and four Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final berths.
Ries continued to coach until his retirement after the spring season of 2015, after his team won their fourth consecutive Delaware Division tournament title. He has a record over record of 529-116-1. Ries is the winning golf coach in New Jersey history.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Hazen High School
“At tournaments, we’re never concerned about what the other team is doing. I tell our kids to just focus on their game and do the best they can.” -Darrell Berglund
“At tournaments, we’re never concerned about what the other team is doing. I tell our kids to just focus on their game and do the best they can.” -Darrell Berglund
Darrell Berglund
Hazen High School
Impact Statement
“At tournaments, we’re never concerned about what the other team is doing. I tell our kids to just focus on their game and do the best they can.” -Darrell Berglund
Biography
Berglund was the coach of both the boys’ and girls’ golf teams at Hazen, single-handedly overseeing the progress of teams whose combined numbers totaled 75 golfers or more.
When his wife, Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year Kathy Berglund, took over the girls’ team in 1996, Berglund concentrated on the boys team and has done so since. The Titans broke through to win the Class B state title the past two seasons, Berglund’s first two championships after multiple high state finishes.
A 1979 graduate of Valley City State University who teaches science at Hazen Middle School, Berglund was named Class B Coach of the Year by the North Dakota High School Coaches Association in 1993, 1994, 2003 and 2005, and was named Region 5 Coach of the Year in 2008.
The National Federation of State High School Associations named Berglund its state Coach of the Year in 2006, and he is a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year award this year.
Berglund continued to lead Hazen until he announced his retirement after 33 years at the helm of the Boys’ Golf team. His teams won three Class B North Dakota State Championships. His teams finished second at four State Championships.
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Professional Achievements
Groose Ile High School
“I really enjoy being with the kids. And they listen well and they pay attention and to see them improve is a great feeling.” -Jim Bennett
“I really enjoy being with the kids. And they listen well and they pay attention and to see them improve is a great feeling.” -Jim Bennett
Jim Bennett
Groose Ile High School
Impact Statement
“I really enjoy being with the kids. And they listen well and they pay attention and to see them improve is a great feeling.” -Jim Bennett
Biography
Bennett retired following the 2004 season after 30 seasons as the boys’ golf coach at Grosse Ile. That year his team finished sixth in the Division 3 state tournament and he coached an individual state champion. That followed on the heels of an incredible six-year run that saw the Red Devils win five state titles in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003 – and a second-place finish in 2001.
In 2007 Bennett returned to coaching as head coach of Grosse Ile’s girls’ team, for which he had served as an assistant coach for seven seasons, and led the Red Devils to a 12th-place finish in the state tournament that year.
A past president of the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association (MIGCA), Bennett was the organization’s Division 3 Coach of the Year in 1998 and its Region 3 Coach of the Year in 2003, and was inducted into the MICGA Hall of Fame in 2005. He is a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year this year.
In 2016 Bennett was inducted to the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Decorah High School
“If you can gain respect, even though you’re an authority figure, they’ll follow you. It goes two ways, you need to respect (athletes’) desires and show concern.” -R. Gaard
“If you can gain respect, even though you’re an authority figure, they’ll follow you. It goes two ways, you need to respect (athletes’) desires and show concern.” -R. Gaard
Richard Gaard
Decorah High School
Impact Statement
“If you can gain respect, even though you’re an authority figure, they’ll follow you. It goes two ways, you need to respect (athletes’) desires and show concern.” -R. Gaard
Biography
Gaard has coached golf and basketball at Decorah for 36 seasons. His golf teams have won nine Northeast Iowa Conference championships, 13 district titles and nine regional crowns, and his career record is 333-123-11. A co-founder and the Northeast Iowa representative to the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association, he was selected as its Coach of the Year in 2007, and he has been named conference Coach of the Year 10 times.
The National Federation of State High School Associations named him Coach of the Year this year. Gaard also was the school’s head boys’ basketball coach from 1995-2000 and coached both its boys’ and girls’ teams. He coached the Class 3A Iowa Dr. Pepper All-Star Team in 1998, served five years on the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors and was a volunteer assistant coach for the Luther College women’s basketball team in 2004-05.
A retired colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, he was attached to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, Washington D.C. In 2004, Col. Gaard was one of seven American officers to take part in the multi-national peacemaking exercise at the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany.
Since being honored, Gaard is still in control of the Decorah’s boys’ golf team. In 2012 his team won another 3A Iowa State Championship. In 2016 the boys’ won the coveted Washington Individual title.
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Professional Achievements
Whitefish High School
“For me, my goal is trying to keep the interest in golf high, and trying to figure out how to keep the kids involved enough to stay with it.” -Terry Nelson
“For me, my goal is trying to keep the interest in golf high, and trying to figure out how to keep the kids involved enough to stay with it.” -Terry Nelson
Terry Nelson
Whitefish High School
Impact Statement
“For me, my goal is trying to keep the interest in golf high, and trying to figure out how to keep the kids involved enough to stay with it.” -Terry Nelson
Biography
Nelson’s teams at Whitefish swept the 2006 boys’ and girls’ Class A state team titles. It was the third time his teams had accomplished that feat, also sweeping the state crowns in 1988 and 1990. For his boys’ teams, it was their third consecutive state title and their third unbeaten season in a row.
In 23 years at the helm Nelson has directed seven of his boys’ teams to state titles. His girls’ teams twice won five state titles in a row – from 1986-90 and 1995-99 – and have won 12 state crowns under his direction, for a combined total of 19 state titles. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association selected Nelson as its National Golf Coach of the Year in 2006.
Since being honored in 2007, Nelson continued to lead Whitefish until 2011. During that time, his team won two more Girls’ Golf titles in 2007 and 2009. In 2008, he led the boys’ team to another state title. Over his career, he was the MCA Coach of the Year for Girls’ Golf 14 times and 8 times for the Boys’ team.
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Records
Professional Achievements
St. Xavier High School
Donlon led St. Xavier to 22 State Titles over 45 years. He was instrumental in Kentucky’s golf history by creating the KIT and the All Star Team program.
Donlon led St. Xavier to 22 State Titles over 45 years. He was instrumental in Kentucky’s golf history by creating the KIT and the All Star Team program.
Marty Donlon
St. Xavier High School
Impact Statement
Donlon led St. Xavier to 22 State Titles over 45 years. He was instrumental in Kentucky’s golf history by creating the KIT and the All Star Team program.
Biography
Donlon has been St. Xavier’s golf coach for more than 35 years and has led the Tigers to five state team titles in the past eight years, and 11 state crowns overall. His 2005 team finished third in state. Entering last season, Donlon’s teams had an overall meet record of 1,165-61 and had won eight consecutive region titles.
A 1956 St. Xavier graduate, Donlon is a member of the school’s Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2003. He also serves as manager of the state golf tournament. In addition to his golf coaching duties, Donlon also was St. Xavier’s head basketball coach for 10 seasons and remains on the staff as an assistant coach.
Since being honored Donlon led St. Xavier for the next two years before retiring in 2008. Over his career Donlon’s teams won 22 State Championships.
He continued to head up the Kentucky All State Golf Teams until 2017. Donlon started the program in 1992. He also ran the Kentucky Invitational Tournament (KIT) for 55 years.
In 2019 Donlon was inducted as part of the first class into the Kentucky’s Golf Coaches Association.
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Professional Achievements
St. Charles North High School
“Coaching kids, success is measured in a different way. Some of the ‘little’ achievements are as big as the big ones that everyone remembers.” -Rob Prentiss
“Coaching kids, success is measured in a different way. Some of the ‘little’ achievements are as big as the big ones that everyone remembers.” -Rob Prentiss
Rob Prentiss
St. Charles North High School
Impact Statement
“Coaching kids, success is measured in a different way. Some of the ‘little’ achievements are as big as the big ones that everyone remembers.” -Rob Prentiss
Biography
Competing in one of the most competitive areas of the Chicago suburbs, Prentiss led the unified St. Charles High program to Class AA state titles in 1991 and 1998. The Saints finished in the state’s top five nine times between 1988 and 1999.
When St. Charles High split into two four-year schools in 2000, Prentiss moved to brand-new St. Charles North High to build a program. His 2002 team was regional champion and his 2003 and 2004 teams also advanced to sectional competition.
In addition to golf, Prentiss is also an assistant boys’ basketball coach.
Since being honored in 2005, Prentiss lead Charles North until his retirement after the 2017 school year.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Jenks High School
“Every baseball field is the same, every basketball court is the same and every football field is the same. But, every golf course is different.” -Bill Roller on his love of golf
“Every baseball field is the same, every basketball court is the same and every football field is the same. But, every golf course is different.” -Bill Roller on his love of golf
Bill Roller
Jenks High School
Impact Statement
“Every baseball field is the same, every basketball court is the same and every football field is the same. But, every golf course is different.” -Bill Roller on his love of golf
Biography
With six consecutive state titles, and eight since 1994, Oklahoma’s Jenks High School boys’ golf coach Bill Roller receives NHSCA Coach of the Year honors.
Since 2004 Roller and his Trojans finished second in the state in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Roller coached a multitude of sports while at Jenks. He coached Baseball, Boys’ Basketball, Softball, Girls’ Golf, and Boys’ Golf. Roller retired from Jenks after 37 years of service in 2018.
He and his wife recently started a new girls’ program at Regents Preparatory Academy, where he is now the girls’ head coach while his wife is the boys’ head coach. In this first year (2019), the Lady Rams finished second in the state.
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Records
Ada High School
Kedy coached boys’ golf at Ada High for 24 years and has led his team to a pair of state championships and a pair of runner up finishes.
Kedy coached boys’ golf at Ada High for 24 years and has led his team to a pair of state championships and a pair of runner up finishes.
Mark Kedy
Ada High School
Impact Statement
Kedy coached boys’ golf at Ada High for 24 years and has led his team to a pair of state championships and a pair of runner up finishes.
Biography
“Mark Kedy has spent a career committed to the development of youth in the classroom and in the athletic arena,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Mark Kedy as the National High School Boys Golf Coach of the Year.”
Kedy has been the boys golf coach at Ada High for over 20 years and has led his team to a pair of state championships. A social studies teacher that has also coached football and boys basketball, Kedy has also been recognized as an Oklahoma Coach of the Year during a successful career in his home state.
Kedy retired from coaching in 2007.
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Calais High School
Ellis’ coaching career was short but fruitful at Calais High School.
Ellis’ coaching career was short but fruitful at Calais High School.
Mike Ellis
Calais High School
Impact Statement
Ellis’ coaching career was short but fruitful at Calais High School.
Biography
Ellis’ career was relatively short – only four years – but they were four excellent years, capped by back-to-back Class C state team titles. Ellis also coached two-time National High School All-American James Frost, the NHSCA’s National High School Boys Golf Senior Athlete of the Year this year, to three consecutive individual state titles and two All-America finishes in the NHSCA National Open High School Boys Golf Championships, and oversaw the improvement of Frost’s sister, Katie, from fifth place as a freshman to third as a sophomore and second last year.
Ellis left coaching after the season in 2002 and is currently the Golf Professional at St. Croix Country Club in Calais, Maine.
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Grandville High School
“Golf is a game that has a lot of hills and valleys. You don’t want to be in a valley come the end of the season.”
-David Hutton
“Golf is a game that has a lot of hills and valleys. You don’t want to be in a valley come the end of the season.”
-David Hutton
David Hutton
Grandville High School
Impact Statement
“Golf is a game that has a lot of hills and valleys. You don’t want to be in a valley come the end of the season.”
-David Hutton
Biography
In his 32 years as Grandville High’s head coach, Hutton’s teams have posted a dual-meet record of 439-154-8 and qualified for the Class A state tournament 18 times, winning state titles in 1976 and 1988. The Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association (MIGCA) selected him Coach of the Year both years, and the Michigan High School Coaches Association named him Coach of the Year in 1977 and 1988.
Hutton has served 22 years as a MICGA board member and two terms as president, 1984-86 and 1996-98. The MICGA inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 1993. The National Coaches Federation named Hutton one of eight finalists for its National Coach of the Year award this season. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association named him Region IV Coach of the Year in 1987. Hutton also coached Grandville High’s hockey team for 17 seasons and had a career record of 212-189-23.
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Professional Achievements
Kingston High School
In 12 years as head golf coach at Kingston High, Coach Everett took a team that was nearly extinct to a fourth-place in the Class 3A state tournament in 1997 and second place in 1998.
In 12 years as head golf coach at Kingston High, Coach Everett took a team that was nearly extinct to a fourth-place in the Class 3A state tournament in 1997 and second place in 1998.
Wayne Everett
Kingston High School
Impact Statement
In 12 years as head golf coach at Kingston High, Coach Everett took a team that was nearly extinct to a fourth-place in the Class 3A state tournament in 1997 and second place in 1998.
Biography
“Wayne Everett is an outstanding example for successful high school golf coaches,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “They place a high value on the teamwork skills players learn for success in the classroom and on the field, and we are proud to be honoring him.”
Everett’s story is an interesting one. He stepped down as head coach of the Kingston High golf team after the 1998-99 season when he became the principal of Cherokee Middle School, also in Kingston. Everett’s administrative post brought down the curtain on a coaching career that saw him coach two sports in two states for a combined 36 years.
In 12 years as head golf coach at Kingston High, he took a team that was nearly extinct to a fourth-place in the Class 3A state tournament in 1997 and second place in 1998. Everett then handed over the team he developed to new coach Jerry Walker last season, and they won the 1999 state title with a 598 total, the seventh lowest winning score in state history. Everett also was a highly successful boys basketball coach, serving a total of 24 years at Kingston and at Ringgold (Ga.) High. He won more than 500 games in his career and led Ringgold High to the 1991 Georgia state tournament.
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