GCSU Men's Golf Coach Jimmy Wilson announces retirement

GCSU Men's Golf Coach Jimmy Wilson announces retirement

Athletics Monday July 22, 2024

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University Director of Athletics Wendell Staton announced that GCSU's Associate Director of Athletics for External Relations and Head Golf Coach Jimmy Wilson has announced his retirement, effective July 31.

"Jimmy has been a vital and valuable part of GCSU Athletics from his time as a student-athlete, through today, and will be into tomorrow and beyond," said Staton. "I am grateful for his unwavering commitment to our student-athletes, to our staff and to the university. He took our golf program to unprecedented heights as he led us to national relevance for many years with sustained excellence. Our teams were always such positive representatives of our university on the course, in the classroom, and in the community, all thanks to his leadership. We had such a great run with so many good people.

"As an administrator, he stepped into any role needed," added Staton. "From compliance, to gameday, to sponsorships, to facilities, to business, to anything that was needed - Jimmy was there. As an administrator, coach and former student-athlete, he has served GCSU well. I want to thank Jimmy for his service and commitment to our student-athletes. He will be missed and we wish him an enjoyable retirement."

Wilson returned to coach Bobcat golf in the spring of 2020, the season was cut short for COVID-19. He spent 20 seasons at the helm of the GCSU golf program, stepping into full-time athletics administration in 2015.

"It's been an honor and a privilege to have served Georgia College & State University as its golf coach," said Wilson. "I want to thank Stan Aldtridge for providing me the opportunity to coach this team. I want to thank Jud Damon and Wendell Staton for allowing me to continue my craft at GCSU. I would also like to thank President Cathy Cox for everything she has done and continues to do for GCSU Athletics since her arrival in Milledgeville. Certainly I would like to thank the players - past and present - for all the successes they have had on the golf course. I would be definitely remiss if I didn't thank my wife Colleen for allowing me to hang out with college kids for the past 30 years."

Wilson has served the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Committee as a rep for the South/Southeast region and was the Chairman of the NCAA Division II National Committee for men's golf for the 2015-16 season.

Wilson picked up his fourth Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year honor, reaching as high as No. 12 in the national rankings and guided the Bobcats to their 20th appearance in the NCAA Division II South/Southeast Super Regionals in the 2020-21 season. The Bobcats won both the Bearcat Classic and Bobcat Invitational that season.

Wilson guided one of the best seasons in program history in 2008. The Bobcats won the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Championship and took fourth at the NCAA Division II National Championship, the highest-ever national finish for a Georgia College golf squad. Wilson was honored with plenty of hardware for his work in 2008, nabbing both the Southeast Region and Peach Belt Coach of the Year honors.

The 2011-12 season was another great year for coach Wilson and the Bobcats. Being led by three All-Americans, they finished third in the PBC Championship, and followed that with a first-place regional finish before finishing fifth at the NCAA national tournament.

Wilson also garnered region coach of the year honors in 2010, a year where the Bobcats were the preseason national No. 1 and won a trio of tournaments, including the 2010 PBC Championship.

Wilson-led teams reached the national championship round of the NCAA Tournament in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2012. Wilson guided the Bobcats to PBC Championships in 2010 and 2000 and was also named the league's Coach of the Year in 2000.

The Bobcats finished fifth at the NCAA National Tournament in 1998, 10th in 2000, tied for fifth in 2001, 10th in 2004, 15th in 2005, sixth in 2007, fourth in 2008 and fifth in 2009. Wilson has coached 24 All-Americans in his tenure with the Bobcats, including coaching a player to PBC Golfer of the Year honors five times.

Wilson has led Bobcat golfers to 24 All-America trophies all-time.

Wilson, who joined the athletics department full time in April 2007, graduated from Georgia College in 1986 and served as the Director of Golf at the Little Fishing Creek Golf Course in Milledgeville from 1988 to April 2007.

Information regarding the future leadership of GCSU golf will be announced at a later date.

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