Hawkins resigns as Walters State golf coach

MORRISTOWN, TN – Brad Hawkins resigned this week as head golf coach at Walters State. 

Hawkins will be pursuing other ventures in the sport. 

"Brad has done a great job of keeping our golf program as one of the best in the nation these past four years," Walters State Athletic Director Derek Creech said. "We would like to thank him for all he has done for our student athletes both on and off the course. We wish Brad the best in his next chapter."

Hawkins took over the program in 2020, replacing long time head coach Bill Gardner. During Hawkins' time as head coach, the Senators finished in the top-10 at the National Tournament every year. Just last week, Hawkins helped lead Walters State to a third-place finish at the NJCAA DII Golf Championship, while AJ Rinehart and JT McKenzie both earned All-American honors. 

As a player, Hawkins played his first two years of collegiate golf at Walters State in 2013 and 2014. During his freshman year, he led the team to a runner-up finish at the NJCAA National Championship. He was named to the Ping 2nd Team All-America list. He was also named NJCAA First Team All-America.

During his sophomore year, he led the team to the first ever NJCAA National Championship for the golf program. He was named First Team All-America by Ping and the NJCAA.

Hawkins then went on to play his final two years at Tusculum, where he was named SAC Men's Golfer of the Year his senior year. 

After finishing up his playing career, Hawkins was an assistant for Gardner in 2019 on a team that finished runner-up at the NJCAA National Championship.

A nationwide search is already underway to find Hawkins' replacement. 

 Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics