June 22, 2005

After leading Duke to its best NCAA Championship finish since 1962, Blue Devil head coach Rod Myers has earned Golfweek National Coach of the Year honors. The Duke mentor, in his 32nd season, also led his squad to its first ACC title since 1966.

Myers had two returning All-Americans on his squad in juniors Ryan Blaum and Nathan Smith, but the Blue Devils had no seniors and two freshmen in the lineup. Still, the veteran coach was able to steer them to their most successful season in over 40 years. Duke won four tournaments and also posted two second-place team finishes, en route to tying for eighth place at the NCAA Championship.

"This has been a very special season," Myers told Golfweek.. "I guess you could say it's been a very pleasant surprise, because you never know what to expect when you have a young team. I thought this could be probably the best team I've ever had and I think in many ways it was."

"What the guys did this year should be huge for our program. We've been climbing the mountain for 30 years. We're not at the top, but we're getting closer."

A 63-year-old native of Springfield, Ohio, Myers received his undergraduate training at Ohio Wesleyan, graduating in 1961 after four years as a golf letterman and one season as team captain. Later, he was inducted into the Ohio Wesleyan Sports Hall of Fame.

Myers' first coaching position was at the University of Maryland. He served as a physical education instructor, assistant golf professional and associate golf coach for three years. He then headed to Ohio State in 1966 and led the Buckeyes to prominence in the Big Ten and in the NCAA, including a best finish of 6th at the 1970 NCAA Championships.

A PGA professional while at Ohio State, Myers is a former president and current treasurer of the Golf Coaches Association of America and a former chairman of the NCAA Golf Committee. He has served on the staff of the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy. Myers is a member of the PGA Rules Committee and was recently selected as a member of the USGA Rules Committee. This past year, Myers achieved Master PGA Professional status. An active member of the PGA of America, he officiated at every Masters Championship from 1995 to 2003.