NC State Men’s Golf Coach Richard Sykes to Retire Following Conclusion of Current Season
1/18/2017 1:00:00 PM | Men's Golf
Golf Coaches Association Hall of Famer will conclude his 46th Wolfpack campaign in the spring
January 18, 2017
RALEIGH – NC State head men's golf coach Richard Sykes will be stepping down from his duties at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, the four-time ACC Coach of the Year announced on Wednesday.
Inducted into the Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001, Sykes led the Wolfpack to the program's first ACC championship in 1990 and recruited and coached Matt Hill, the Wolfpack men's golf program's first individual NCAA Champion (2009).
"Coach Sykes has had a unique and long lasting impact on our golf program and student athletes," said Director of Athletics Debbie Yow. "He will always be part of the fabric of NC State Athletics, and we look forward to honoring his many contributions this spring."
The Wolfpack's successful golf fortunes under Sykes' leadership go well beyond the conference level. NC State has qualified for 23 NCAA Regionals and 12 NCAA Championships as a team during Sykes' career as head coach, finishing seasons among the nation's elite for over four decades. Including regular season and postseason play, Sykes' squads have won a total of 52 team tournament titles throughout his career, averaging more than one per season.
Sykes has coached six ACC Champions, two ACC Players of the Year, three ACC Rookies of the Year, 47 All-ACC selections and 34 All-Americans during his time in Raleigh. His team won the 1996 NCAA East Regional in Kiamesha Lake, N.Y., and he coached individual golfers to NCAA Regional titles in 1996 (Tim Clark), 1997 (Tim Clark), 2009 (Matt Hill), 2011 (Mitch Sutton), and 2012 (Albin Choi). He was also elected as the coach of the West squad in the 1999 East-West All-Star matches and has seen many former players enjoy solid professional golf careers, including Tim Clark, Carl Pettersson, Marc Turnesa, Garth Mulroy, Hank Kim, Jeff Lankford, Kelly Mitchum, Vance Heafner, Justin Walters and the aforementioned Matt Hill.
A Class A member of the PGA, Sykes was the head pro at Wendell Country Club in Wendell, N.C., before coming to NC State. Sykes is a 1968 graduate of NC State, where he earned his degree in recreation and parks administration. He was a member of the freshman track team while at NC State and was also on the men's varsity golf team for the 1965-66 season.
"I love NC State and have been a part of it for the past 46 years," Sykes said. "It has been a dream come true. My age is now an even-par 72. Since we try to keep scores at par or better, it's time for me to step aside. Hopefully as the season goes along, I will have the opportunity to thank all of the players, their families, donors, NC State administrators, and fans who have made my time here so special."
Sykes assisted in overseeing the 2008 completion of the Lonnie Poole Golf Course, NC State's first on-campus home golf course designed by Arnold Palmer's Course Design Company. A former member of the National Advisory Board for the Golf Coaches Association of America, he has also served on the NCAA Selection Committee and has been the chairman as well.
Married to the former Pam Manning of Zebulon, the Sykes have four children: David, Rick, Paige and Stacy, and five grandchildren: Alison, Cody, Samantha, Jack and Eddie.
#GoPack | @PackMensGolf
RALEIGH – NC State head men's golf coach Richard Sykes will be stepping down from his duties at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, the four-time ACC Coach of the Year announced on Wednesday.
Inducted into the Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001, Sykes led the Wolfpack to the program's first ACC championship in 1990 and recruited and coached Matt Hill, the Wolfpack men's golf program's first individual NCAA Champion (2009).
"Coach Sykes has had a unique and long lasting impact on our golf program and student athletes," said Director of Athletics Debbie Yow. "He will always be part of the fabric of NC State Athletics, and we look forward to honoring his many contributions this spring."
The Wolfpack's successful golf fortunes under Sykes' leadership go well beyond the conference level. NC State has qualified for 23 NCAA Regionals and 12 NCAA Championships as a team during Sykes' career as head coach, finishing seasons among the nation's elite for over four decades. Including regular season and postseason play, Sykes' squads have won a total of 52 team tournament titles throughout his career, averaging more than one per season.
Sykes has coached six ACC Champions, two ACC Players of the Year, three ACC Rookies of the Year, 47 All-ACC selections and 34 All-Americans during his time in Raleigh. His team won the 1996 NCAA East Regional in Kiamesha Lake, N.Y., and he coached individual golfers to NCAA Regional titles in 1996 (Tim Clark), 1997 (Tim Clark), 2009 (Matt Hill), 2011 (Mitch Sutton), and 2012 (Albin Choi). He was also elected as the coach of the West squad in the 1999 East-West All-Star matches and has seen many former players enjoy solid professional golf careers, including Tim Clark, Carl Pettersson, Marc Turnesa, Garth Mulroy, Hank Kim, Jeff Lankford, Kelly Mitchum, Vance Heafner, Justin Walters and the aforementioned Matt Hill.
A Class A member of the PGA, Sykes was the head pro at Wendell Country Club in Wendell, N.C., before coming to NC State. Sykes is a 1968 graduate of NC State, where he earned his degree in recreation and parks administration. He was a member of the freshman track team while at NC State and was also on the men's varsity golf team for the 1965-66 season.
"I love NC State and have been a part of it for the past 46 years," Sykes said. "It has been a dream come true. My age is now an even-par 72. Since we try to keep scores at par or better, it's time for me to step aside. Hopefully as the season goes along, I will have the opportunity to thank all of the players, their families, donors, NC State administrators, and fans who have made my time here so special."
Sykes assisted in overseeing the 2008 completion of the Lonnie Poole Golf Course, NC State's first on-campus home golf course designed by Arnold Palmer's Course Design Company. A former member of the National Advisory Board for the Golf Coaches Association of America, he has also served on the NCAA Selection Committee and has been the chairman as well.
Married to the former Pam Manning of Zebulon, the Sykes have four children: David, Rick, Paige and Stacy, and five grandchildren: Alison, Cody, Samantha, Jack and Eddie.
#GoPack | @PackMensGolf
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