A program w/ incredible history and much excitement for the present. https://t.co/9zAn7WI0O6 @ASUKarsten @PapagoGolf @AZRegents @ASU_Alumni pic.twitter.com/FTDPUJ41R5
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) October 5, 2016
COACH THURMOND LINKS
--CoachThurmond Earns ASU'sFrank Kush Award for 2021-22
--Pandemic pushed ASU coach to get master’s degree (by Scott Bordow, ASU News/May 2, 2022)
--ASU Wins – and Studies – Together as MattThurmondGoes Back to School (by Brentley Romine, Golf Channel/Oct. 21, 2021)
--ASU coach Matt Thurmond on the bag for Chun An Yu at U.S. Open: ‘You’re my boss' (by Kent Somers, azcentral.com/Sept. 15, 2020)
--Coming of age: ASU men's golf coach Thurmond takes daughters on trips of a lifetime (by Sebastian Emanuel, Cronkite News/June 14, 2019)
--Yu will have head coach Matt Thurmond as his caddy in U.S. Open this week (by Jesse Morrison, Devils Digest/Sept. 15, 2020)
--Caddying is ASU golf coach's bag for a week, as long as the bag isn't too heavy (by Kent Somers, Arizona Republic/Sept. 15, 2020/PDF)
Head coach Matt Thurmond was hired to lead the men's golf program on July 25, 2016, by Ray Anderson and in his first sixseasons has led ASU to 17team titles, earned 2019 Pac-12 Coach of the Year and hired the nation's top assistant coach who is now the UCLA head coach. Entering 2022-23 he has led ASU to its best NCAA finishes since 1996 with a tie for third in 2021 and last season's runner-up finish to Texas.
Last season (2021-22) saw the Sun Devils make a fantastic run to the finals of the NCAA Championship, have another Sun Devil(Preston Summerhays) win Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year and watch four Sun Devils earn All-America honors for the second straight year while also racking up three team tournament wins, including the NCAA Stockton Regional.
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) August 15, 2022The impact of a coach ?? @sundevilmgolf
Congratulations @kevingolfyu. #TOURBound pic.twitter.com/9m05h8z6Oc
The 2020-21 season saw two tournament titles in a condensed season with the squad earning a NCAA match play win for the first time, as well as its best finish (tied for third) since it won the 1996 NCAA title. ASU had four GCAA All-Americans, with three of returning in 2021-22 and the other (Chun An Yu) earning a spot on the Korn Ferry Tour through the PGA Tour Universityprogram. The spring of 2021 wasthe busiest five months in the history of Sun Devil men's golf with the cancellation of fall golf in the Pac-12,as the Sun Devils played 41 rounds of golf in 136 days, starting on Jan. 17 with a win at the inaugural Copper Cup and finishing with a tough NCAA match play semifinal loss to top-ranked Oklahoma on June 1. In between much happened as ASU competed in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Texas, Florida and Georgia. The team notched four All-Americans for the first time since 2009, and its NCAA finish (tied for third) was its best since it won the 1996 title.
His Sun Devils were hot and ready to make a run at postseason trophies in 2020 with three titles, including the highly competitive Cabo Collegiate, but when the Corona Virus canceledthe NCAA spring season and the chance to win the NCAA title at Grayhawk Golf right up the road, reality hit and goals were changed.
"I'm just still so humbled every day to be able to represent Sun Devil Golf, coach these amazing players, and build this program," says Thurmond."I love doing it and I love seeing and feeling the growth in momentum in any and all areas of our program and especially in our players. I'm more confident than ever in the brightness of the Sun Devil Golf future. Talking about it with our players, recruits, and supporters gives me a rush because it is real and they can all feel it."
It was a fun year and about to get better. The best is yet to come. Some final notes and numbers from our 2019-20 season. Stay safe everyone! See you at our Thunderbird Collegiate and at @GrayhawkGolf in spring of 2021. Recap: https://t.co/6yga9Urny3 pic.twitter.com/Ga7oX8je8N
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) March 27, 2020
“Our program isabout our student-athletes,” Thurmond hassaid.“I’m here to serve and help them and to establish a culture where they can achieve their biggest dreams and have the best four years of their lives. Wework hard, have fun, improveand build meaningful relationships with the entire ASU Golf Family."
"Coach Thurmond wasnot just acoach for my four years,he becamea really good friend of mine and has an important role in my career. He is willing to do anything for his players throughout their career" -- PGA Tour Golf and Washington HuskyC.T. Pan.
In his first season, he guided a young Sun Devil squad to the NCAA Championships, as ASU was the only team to have three freshmen in the lineup. Along the way the team won the 2016 Alister MacKenzie Invitational, the 2017 Thunderbird Invitational and had senior Jared du Toit earn second-team All-America honors. He saw Chun An Yu, du Toit and Ki Taek Lee all win individual tournaments. The winning and accolades have continued since.
Next up #ForksUp to four dudes who earned All-Pac-12 honors@kevingolfyu (first team)@cityofchandler own Mason Andersen (first team)@a_delrey99 (second team)@blakewagoner7 (second team)
Don't believe us read it here! https://t.co/SAbIVjTnEE pic.twitter.com/JCIYkk5eou— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) May 1, 2019See Also@fullname - Softball - University of Oregon AthleticsPreston Summerhays - Men's GolfOregon State baseball’s Travis Bazzana, Bridger Holmes, Aiden May, Jacob Kmatz named All-Americans - The OregonianNoles News: Florida State to face Tennessee in College World Series opener
"It has been a few really productive years for our program. We've continued to build a foundation that can sustain decades of success.Our Thunderbirds Golf Complex and Phil and Amy Mickelson Player Development Facility have transformed our program.Our players are improving fast as they practice really effectively.It has also brought our team closer together as they spend so much time there together working, studying, relaxing, exercising, and competing.Recruits can feel it and want to be a part of it."
THE PHIL AND AMY MICKELSON PLAYER DEVELOPMENT FACILITY/THUNDERBIRDS GOLF COMPLEX
--A Look At Sun Devil Golf’s Art Gallery (by Maddyn Johnstone-Thomas, sports360AZ.com/Oct. 2, 2020)
--Inside the coolest practice facility in college golf, home of the Arizona State Sun Devils (by Josh Berhow/Golf.com/April 3, 2020)
"We are really excited about our tournament, the Thunderbird Collegiate, and its growth into one of the top collegiate golf events.Hosting three straight NCAA Championships is a unique opportunity to showcase our program and this amazing golf community as well.Our community continues to be more and more involved in our program.Many people are donating to help us win, following the team in our different tournaments, opening up their doors for our team to play their courses, and just passionately following and advocating for Sun Devil Golf.Our team represents the entire Sun Devil Golf Family and we love to see the pride that our fans, alums, and supporters have in our players.We want them to be very proud of everything our program represents, both on and off the course.Our student-athletes continue to perform well in the classroom and on the course while being good citizens as well."
As @craigsmorgan says @MattThurmond pumped for this year...and beyond! https://t.co/mG5N1R2K2u @GrayhawkGolf @ASUKarsten @asufoundation
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) September 14, 2017
Thurmond, who spent the previous 15 seasons at Washington, created a perennial national championship contending program for the Huskies. With 12 total NCAA Championship appearances, Thurmond’s teams averaged a ninth-place national finish, including seven top-10 finishes. The 2009 Golfweek National Coach of the Year and two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year (’05, ’09), Thurmond coached Washington to three conference titles in 2005, 2009, and 2010.
He also knows how to hire. Currently fiveformer assistant coaches are leading Division I men's golf programs: Armen Kirakossian (UCLA), Van Williams (Wofford),Jon Reehoorn (Oregon State),Garrett Clegg (Utah)andMichael Wilson (Long Beach State) whileDan Potter ledBoise State to impressive wins before stepping away after the 2021-22 season.
“Matt Thurmond’s background at Washington and his record of success wasright in line with the direction we wereheaded with the men’s golf program when we were looking for our next head coach,” RayAnderson said at the time of his hiring. “He embraces the concept of family and the success that community can bring to a program. Beyond his ability to coach top-level talent, his skill at directing capital projects and fundraising within the golf community remainsinvaluable in establishingourprogram’s home at Papago Golf Course.”
An impressive recruiter, Thurmond has coached three No. 1- ranked world amateurs. In 2010, NCAA Championship runner-up Nick Taylor won the McCormack Award and the Ben Hogan Award, as did Chris Williams in 2012. CT Pan, the top-ranked amateur in 2013, also finished as the NCAA Championship runner-up in 2015 as a senior. Thurmond coached James Lepp to the 2005 Individual National Championship, the first Husky to win the NCAA title. While at Washington, Thurmond coached 25 All-Americans including eight first-team honors.
"Matt is one of the most competitive people I know," says Taylor. "We had success because we loved to have fun, at the same time no one wanted to win more. He has a great perspective on life and golf which makes you give it your all when you're playing for his team."
“I thanked President Crow, Ray Anderson, the Arizona Board of Regents, Scottie Graham, and Don Bocchi right away for entrusting me to lead the ASU men’s golf program.I wasinspired by their vision and leadership."
Thurmond led the fundraising for, and helped direct, Washington’s multi-million dollar Husky Golf Center and “The Playground” practice facility. He coordinated the concept, funding, and construction of the cutting edge, eight-acre practice facility and team center.
Thurmond began his coaching career at Washington as an assistant coach to OD Vincent and Mary Lou Mulflur in 2000, before taking over the men’s golf program at the age of 26 in 2001. Prior to UW, Thurmond served one season as an assistant coach for BYU.
He leads an Arizona State program that has won 12 Pac-12 titles since joining the Pac-10 Conference in 1978-79, the most of any program in that time. ASU won national titles in 1990 and 1996underhead coaches Steve Loy and Randy Lein, respectively. Individually, nine Sun Devil golfers have won 11 Pac-12 individual titles, and four players have won six NCAA individual titles. Recently, Jon Rahm, who graduated in the spring of 2016, became the first two-time winner of the Ben Hogan Award.
Thurmond graduated from BYU where he was a four-year letterwinner for the Cougar golf program (1993-99) and was named Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in 1994. Thurmond is joined at Arizona State by wife Kathryn and their three daughters.
COACH THURMOND NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP FINISHES (UPDATED THROUGH 2022-23)
2023: T-5th (lost in quarterfinals of NCAAmatch play)
2022: 2nd (2-1 in NCAA Match Play)
2021: T-3rd (1-1 in NCAA Match Play)
2020: N/A (Corona Virus)
2019: 16th
2018: T-13th
2017: 16th(first year at ASU)
2016: DNC
2015: 15th
2014: 15th
2013: 16th
2012: 6th (lost in quarterfinals of NCAAmatch play)
2011: DNC
2010: 4th(lost in quarterfinals ofNCAAmatch play)
2009: 3rd(lost in quarterfinals of NCAAmatch play)
2008: 7th
2007: DNC
2006: 9th
2005: 3rd
2004: 6th
2003: 11th
2002: 11th
COACH THURMOND PAC-12CHAMPIONSHIP FINISHES
2022: 3rd
2021: 2nd
2020: N/A (Corona Virus)
2019: 4th
2018: 3rd
2017: 6th (first year at ASU)
2016: 4th
2015: 5th
2014: 2nd
2013: 3rd
2012: 7th
2011: 6th
2010: 1st
2009: 1st
2008: 5th
2007: 5th
2006: 2nd
2005: 1st
2004: 4th
2003: 5th
2002: 6th
NOTABLE PLAYERS COACHED
GCAAALL-AMERICANS
2023: Preston Summerhays (first); Josel Ballester (hm), Michael Mjaaseth(hm)
2022: Mason Andersen (third), Josele Ballester (hm), David Puig (hm), Cameron Sisk (hm)
2021: Mason Andersen (third), Josele Ballester (HM),David Puig (HM), Cameron Sisk (HM)
2021: David Puig (second), Ryggs Johnston (third), Chun An Yu (third), Cameron Sisk (HM)
2020: Cameron Sisk (third)
2019: Chun An Yu (first)
2017: Jared du Toit (second)
2016:Corey Pereira (HM)
2015: Cheng-Tsung Pan (first)
2014: Cheng-Tsung Pan (first), Jonathan Sanders (HM)
2013: Cheng-Tsung Pan (first)
2012: Chris Williams (first), Chen-Tsung Pan (second)
2011: Chris Williams (second)
2010: Nick Taylor (first), Richard Lee (third), Chris Williams (third)
2009: Nick Taylor (first), Richard Lee (third), Darren Wallace (third)
2008: Nick Taylor (HM)
2006: Alex Prugh (third), Zach Bixler (HM), James Lepp (HM)
2005: James Lepp (first)
2004: Brock Mackenzie (first), Erik Olson (HM), Alex Prugh (HM)
2003: Brock Mackenzie (first)
2002: Brock Mackenzie (second)
PAC-12 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Nick Taylor (2009 and 2010)
PAC-12 FRESHMAN/NEWCOMEROF THE YEAR
Michael Mjaaseth(2023)
Josele Ballester (2022)
David Puig (2021)
Cameron Sisk(2019)
Chris Williams (2010)
PAC-12 CHAMPIONS
Darren Wallace (2009)
Erik Olson (2005)
BEN HOGAN AWARD WINNERS
Chris Williams (2013)
Nick Taylor (2010)
MATT THURMOND CAREER TEAM WINS (19AT ASU)
2022-23 (2)
NCAA Las Vegas Regional (May 15-17, 2023)
Thunderbird Collegiate (April 14-15, 2023)
2021-2022(3)
NCAA Stockton Regional (May 16-18, 2022)
Southwestern Invitational (Jan. 24-26, 2022)
Isleworth Invitational (Oct. 17-19, 2021)
2020-21 (2)
The Goodwin (Mar. 25-27, 2021)
Amer Ari Invitational (Feb. 2-4, 2021)
2019-2020 (3)
Cabo Collegiate (Mar. 1-3, 2020)
Trinity Forest Invitational (Sept. 22-24, 2019)
Maui Jim Intercollegiate (Sept. 13-15, 2019)
Team title for Maui Jim: Us
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) September 16, 2019
Medalist for Maui Jim: Cameron Sisk
Medalist for Ind. Tourney at Desert Forest: ?@a_delrey99?
(pretty good freakin’ weekend) https://t.co/wp1YyGuJXM
Campeones!!! Wins Cabo Collegiate With Great Final Round in Mexico https://t.co/5kOU6LihQJ
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) March 4, 2020
2018-19 (4)
ASU Thunderbird Collegiate/April 12-13, 2019
National Invitational/Mar. 18-19, 2019
Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic/Mar. 11-12, 2019
John Burns Intercollegiate/Feb. 21-23, 2019
2017-18 (3)
ASU Thunderbird Invitational/April 14-15, 2018
Bandon Dunes Intercollegiate/March 11-13, 2018
Maui Jim Intercollegiate/September 22-24, 2017
Got one team title and hope this leads to more. Congrats @a_delrey99 on Individual title https://t.co/YLEZ9l94Kx thanks to @desert_forest pic.twitter.com/89LEFFkqbe
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) September 25, 2017
2016-17 (2)
ASU Thunderbird Invitational/March 18-19, 2017
Alister MacKenzie Invitational/Oct. 10-11, 2016
AT WASHINGTON
2015-16 (3)
Redhawk Invitational (University Place, WA/Chambers Bay/April 4-5, 2016)
Gifford Collegiate (La Costa Gold Club/Carlsbad, CA/Nov. 4-5, 2015)
Husky Invitational (Tumble Creek GC/Suncadia, WA/Sept. 21-22, 2015)
2014-15 (3)
Redhawk Invitational (University Place, WA/Chambers Bay/April 6-7, 2015)
Lamkin San Diego Invitational (San Diego, CA/San Diego Country Club/March 9-10, 2015)
Kikkor Husky Invitational (Bremerton, WA/ Olympic Course at Gold Mountain/ Sept. 16-17, 2014)
2012-13 (3)
Prestige at PGA West (Palm Desert, CA/PGA WEST/Feb. 18-20, 2013)
Waikoloa Intercollegiate (lost in playoff) (Waikoloa, HI/Kings Course/Feb. 6-8, 2013)
Kikkor Gold Husky Invitational (Bremerton, WA/Gold Mountain Golf Couse/Sept, 17-18, 2012)
2011-12 (4)
NCAA Southwest Regional (Norman, OK/Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course/May 17-19, 2012)
Brandon Dunes Championship (Brandon, OR/Brandon Trails/March 16-18, 2012)
San Diego Collegiate (San Diego, CA/San Diego Country Club/Feb. 13-14, 2012)
Kikkor Golf Husky Invitational (Bremerton, WA/Olympic Course at Gold Mountain/ Sept. 24, 2011)
2010-11 (1)
Brandon Dunes Championship (Brandon, OR/Brandon Dunes/March 10-12, 2011)
2009-10 (4)
NCAA Regionals (Bremerton, WA/Gold Mountain Golf Course/May 20-22, 2010)
Pac-10 Championships (Tempe, AZ/Karsten Golf Course/April 26-28, 2010)
ASU Thunderbird Invitational (Tempe, AZ/Karsten Golf Course/April 2-3, 2010)
Topy Cup (Tanagura, Japan/Tanagura Country Club/Sept. 8-10, 2009)
2008-09 (5)
Pac-10 Championships (Seattle, WA/Seattle Golf Club/April 27-29, 2009)
U.S. Intercollegiate (Stanford, CA/Stanford Golf Course/April 18-19, 2009)
Oregon Duck Invitational (Eugene, OR/Eugene Country Club/March 23-24, 2009)
Fresno State Golf Classic (Fresno, CA/Sunnyside Country Club/March 9-10, 2009)
Husky Invitational (Bremerton, WA/Gold Mountain Golf Course/Sept, 29-30, 2008)
2005-06 (1)
Gopher Invitational (Wayzata, MN/Spring Hill Golf Club/Sept. 17-18, 2005)
2004-05 (2)
Pac-10 Championships (Walla Walla, WA/Walla Walla Country Club/April 25-27, 2005)
Oregon Duck Invitational (Eugene, OR/Eugene Country Club/March 21-22, 2005)
2003-04 (2)
Northwest Shootout (Bend, OR/Crosswater/May 3, 2004)
Opus NW Husky Invitational (Bremerton, WA/Gold Mountain Golf Course/Sept, 29-30, 2003)
2002-03 (1)
Northwest Shootout (Auburn, WA/Washington National Golf Club/March 8, 2003)
2001-02 (5)
NCAA West Regional (Albuquerque, NM/The Championship Course/May 16-18, 2002)
Western Intercollegiate (Santa Cruz, CA/Pasatiempo Golf Club/April 5-6, 2002)
The Prestige (Palm Desert, CA/Desert Willow Golf Resort/Nov. 5-6, 2001)
The Nelson (Stanford, CA/Stanford Golf Course/Oct. 26-28, 2001)
Husky Invitational (Bremerton, WA/Gold Mountain Golf Course/Oct. 1-2, 2001)
A program w/ incredible history and much excitement for the present. https://t.co/9zAn7WI0O6 @ASUKarsten @PapagoGolf @AZRegents @ASU_Alumni pic.twitter.com/FTDPUJ41R5
— ASUmensgolf (@asumensgolf) October 5, 2016
SUN DEVILMEN'S GOLF HEAD COACHES
Aaron McCreary, 1931
Joe Selleh, 1932
Earl Pomeroy, 1940
Bill Quinn, 1948-1949
Al Onofrio, 1952-1956
John Zuchowski, 1958
Francis E. Markham, 1959-1960
Bill Mann, 1961-1974
George Boutell, 1975-1986
Steve Loy, 1987-1992
Todd Rolfes, 1992 (interim)
Randy Lein, 1992-2011
Tim Mickelson, 2011-2016
Matt Thurmond, 2016-present
