Friday, May 20, 2022
by Northwest Nazarene Athletic Communications

NAMPA, Idaho - Northwest Nazarene University Athletics has announced the promotion of Fred Sutton to the position of head men's & women's golf coach.

Sutton has spent the last ten years serving as an assistant coach under longtime coach Craig Stensgaard. He will officially take over the head coaching duties after Stengaard departs at the end of May.

"Over the past several years, Fred has invested countless hours into the golf programs coaching and supporting our golf student-athletes," said NNU Athletic Director Kelli Lindley. "He has developed strong relationships with the players and worked tirelessly assisting where needed. Fred's extensive background in golf, both as a player and a coach, will enable him to build upon the success the programs have had. I look forward to working alongside Fred and helping our golf programs reach new heights!"

"I am excited for the wonderful opportunity to continue to develop our student athletes' God-given talents both on and off the golf course," said Sutton. 

In addition to his assistant coaching duties with the golf program over the last decade, Sutton has also served NNU as a professor of accounting. He has also given his time as a US Kids Golf Tour director since 2015.

Sutton also has previous collegiate head coaching experience as the head men's golf coach for Victor Valley College from 2003-04. He was named the Inland Empire Player of the Year in 2004.

He is a PGA Class A Professional and has had a lot of success in his career as a player. He played Division I golf for Long Beach State before spending nine years on several different tours including events on the Canadian Tour, Nike Tour/Nationwide Tour (Korn Fiery Tour) and the PGA Tour. Highlights of his playing career include qualifying for the sectionals of the US Open in 2019, serving as an alternate for the PGA National Championship in 2020 and winning over 50 professional tournaments.

Sutton received a bachelor's degree in finance from Long Beach State before going on to earn his Master of Business Administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management and a Doctorate of Business Administration, concentrated in accounting, from Argosy University.

Sutton lives in Nampa and has three children, Jadyn, Hunter, and Maci.