Source: UA Sports Information
Date Published: 6/18/2006 6:33:16 AM
Last Modified: 6/18/2006 6:33:16 AM
PermaLink: http://haw.gs/n18224

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas head golf coach Mike Ketcham has resigned his position with the Razorbacks to pursue a career in high school athletic administration near his hometown in Iowa it was announced by University of Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles on Saturday.

“I appreciate the opportunity that Coach Broyles gave me to come back and coach my alma mater,” Ketcham said. “Not many coaches get the opportunity to return to where they played and coach. I want to thank Coach Broyles, the administration and members of the Razorback family for allowing me to have the experience of a lifetime. I’m proud of the student-athletes that we have had in our program and what they have accomplished. The future of Razorback golf is very bright. Although I won’t be directly affiliated with the program, I am a Razorback for life.”

Ketcham has accepted a position as the athletic director at Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa. His hometown of Ottumwa, Iowa is less than 90 miles away from Des Moines and many members of Ketcham’s family reside in the Des Moines’ area.

“I knew that administration was always in my future,” Ketcham said. “I just didn’t know when that opportunity would come. Even when I started coaching 16 years ago, I knew that I would not end my career as a golf coach. This is a great opportunity with a prestigious high school program near my family. I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my life.”

Ketcham recently completed his fifth season with the Razorbacks. In his five-year tenure, Arkansas advanced to three NCAA Regionals and two NCAA Championships. Three times in the last four seasons, Arkansas finished among the top 28 teams in the nation. Under Ketcham’s tutelage, the Razorbacks earned two tournament victories, 20-top five finishes and 45 top-10 performances.

Ketcham competed at Arkansas for Coach Steve Loy in both the 1985-86 and 1986-87 campaigns. He was part of Razorback squads that finished 16th and sixth, respectively, at the 1986 and 1987 NCAA Championships.

After a four-year professional career, Ketcham began his coaching career at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College (1992-94). A two-time National Junior College Athletic Association Coach of the Year, he led SCC to a pair of national titles. Ketcham spent two years (1994-96) at San Jose State before enjoying five successful seasons (1996-2001) at Oregon State. He was announced as the 12th men’s golf coach in University of Arkansas history on June 16, 2001.

“We are grateful to Mike for the contributions he has made to our golf program during his tenure as a player and a coach,” Broyles said. “He has been an ambassador for our program and helped solidify the future of the Razorback golf program both competitively and financially through his fundraising efforts. We wish him and his family the best of luck in their future endeavors.”

Broyles said that the search for a new golf coach will begin immediately.

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