Wednesday, November 21, 2018
by Western Washington Athletic Communications

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University Director of Athletics Steve Card has announced that Luke Bennett has been named the head golf coach of both the men's and women's programs.
 
Bo Stephan, who led the women's program for 14 seasons from 2006-2018, has stepped down from his position to pursue other professional opportunities.
 
Bennett, who has led the WWU men's golf program since taking over in 2013-14, will assume head coaching duties for both Viking teams, which features 19 golfers (11 men, 8 women).
 
"We are grateful for all the years that Bo put in and this is certainly bittersweet as he has meant a lot to our athletic department, both as a student-athlete and as a very respected coach," said Card, who was WWU's longtime men's golf coach prior to taking over as athletic director. "We wish him the best as he pursues another professional opportunity that will allow him to be around his great family a lot more."
 
Bennett will oversee both programs that are each nationally ranked at the end of the 2018-19 fall season. The men's team is ranked No. 7 in the Bushnell Golfweek Division II Coaches Poll and No. 4 in the Golfstat.com relative team rankings. The Vikings won three of five tournaments during the fall season.
 
"It is an honor to be taking on this new role within the athletic department, and I am proud to be a Viking during this exciting time for both programs," said Bennett. "Bo has done a phenomenal job coaching the women's program over the years, and I look forward to many great years ahead. I have big shoes to fill, size 13s to be exact."
 
The women's team jumped into the national rankings at No. 24, recording a pair of third-place finishes and one runner-up during the fall season. The women's team is listed No. 37 in the Golfstat relative team rankings.
 
"Luke has done a phenomenal job with our men's program and he will be a great fit to lead both teams," said Card. "This is a model that has proven to be very successful across the country, and I think it will work very well for our two programs. Luke is a great coach and a very respected instructor, and I look forward to the continued growth and success of both programs."
 
Stephan was a four-time Great Northwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year selection (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015) and led the Vikings to five consecutive GNAC Championships from 2011-15.
 
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Western," said Stephan. "I was blessed to work with amazing young women throughout my career. I wouldn't change a thing as helping develop young talent and student-athletes is something I will always cherish."