Ben English named GCSU golf coach: Introductory press conference for English Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Ben English named GCSU golf coach: Introductory press conference for English Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Athletics Tuesday December 3, 2024

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University Director of Athletics Wendell Staton has announced Ben English as the new Bobcat golf coach, effective immediately.

"We are thrilled that Ben English will be leading our golf program," said Staton. "He is committed to the GCSU model of holistic excellence and will lead our student-athletes to be their best academically, socially and athletically. I absolutely love his mental approach to the game, and this will have a very positive and immediate impact on our student-athletes. His knowledge of the golf swing and all phases of player development, coupled with his deep dive into the mental side of competition, is going to make our golfers better every single day."

"His recruiting contacts throughout Georgia, the country and internationally will greatly enhance our talent," added Staton. "This influx of talent will increase the competition among our team and make everyone better. During his campus visit, Ben established an immediate connection with our student-athletes, staff and members of our campus community. He's eager to engage our alumni and community, and I'm so pleased with how excited he is to be here."

English comes to Milledgeville after working with Next Level Golf, a college recruiting service, since 2008. English eventually purchased Next Level Golf and focused the company on performance coaching in competitive golf. With a love for competitive golf and player development, as well as being the father of a PGA Tour winner and a performance coach for many college players, English coached over 70 players to college scholarships. He learned from some of the best teachers in the game including Jack Lumpkin , Blake Adams, Mark Blackburn, Roger Cleveland, Stan Utley, Harvey Penick, Justin Parsons and Dave Stockton throughout the years in addition to studying the mental game with sports psychologists Dr. David Cook and Dr. Gio Valiante.

"I have been very blessed in my life to learn teaching the competitive game of golf," said English. "I am very fortunate to be able to do that to make a difference in young men not only in the game of golf, but in their lives. GCSU has given me an opportunity to do that, and I can't wait to see the results. The enthusiasm and commitment to being one's best permeates this campus."

At Next Level Golf, English helped junior and college players and their parents focus on understanding the process to optimize their journey on and off the golf course. English has been involved in competitive golf at every level from caddying amateur and professional events to working with some of the top sports psychologists in the game and helping juniors get started in the competitive game.

English was born and raised in Sandersville, Georgia, and graduated from Brentwood School in 1974. He attended the University of Georgia and played basketball as a freshman. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in agriculture. English was vice president at Ralston Purina in St Louis. He also was vice president of Commodities at J.C. Bradford Company and owned The English Corporation and Georgia Cotton Company.

"Ben has known nothing but success as an entrepreneur, a junior golf coach and professional golf coach," said Staton. "He has a very unique perspective and set of experiences that are quite rare. He has been the parent and coach of a Ryder Cup team member and PGA Tour winner. He has seen the game, competition, player development and recruiting from all sides. He has been intimately involved with golf from the junior level all the way to the best players in the world. These experiences are unique and will help lift our program to greater heights. I'm confident that under the leadership of Ben English, our golf program will return to national relevance."

English is married to the former Ginger Rhodes, from Union Point, Georgia. Ben has two sons, Ben Jr. of Moultrie, Georgia, and Harris, his wife, Helen Marie and granddaughter, Emilia of St. Simons Island, Georgia. GCSU Athletics will hold an introductory press conference and community welcome for English Tuesday (Dec. 3) at 2 p.m. Staton and University President Cathy Cox will host the meet and greet along with the press conference in the Pat Peterson Museum Education Room located in GCSU's Russell Library. The community and media are welcome to attend. The event will also be live-streamed at www.pbcsportsnetwork.com/gcbobcats.

What others are saying about Ben English.

"When I first came to the United States from Germany, Ben helped me with many facets of my game. His knowledge and teaching definitely helped me build a solid foundation as a junior golfer, and I lean on that foundation on the PGA Tour today! He will make a great college coach!" - PGA Tour winner Stephen Jaeger

"I am very excited for my dad to be named head golf coach at GCSU. He will pour his heart and soul into the program that I think has tons of untapped potential. He knows what it takes to develop players from the junior level, to the college level and onto the pro ranks and will provide everything the players need to be the best that they can be." - PGA Tour professional and four-time winner Harris English

"I think the hiring of Ben English as the head golf coach for GCSU was a home run hire! His knowledge of professional golf, college golf, junior golf and of this state will pay off huge dividends for Georgia College!" - University of Georgia men's golf coach Chris Haack

CONTACT INFORMATION

SHARE THIS