Sunday, May 12, 2013

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Steve Card, who was recently named interim director of athletics at Western Washington University, has announced that he will not coach the men’s golf team during the 2013-14 season after 20 years heading that program.

Taking over Card’s coaching position on an interim basis will be former Viking player and current assistant women’s golf coach Luke Bennett.

Card, 47, is completing his 20th season at as men’s golf coach at WWU.

Next week, the Vikings will be making their 12th national appearance under his direction.

They qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships by placing second at the South Central/West Regional and earlier won their sixth straight Great Northwest Athletic Conference title.

Card is a four-time regional Coach of the Year and a nine-time conference honoree, coaching 25 All-Americans. He was a member of the NCAA II men’s golf committee for four years (2008-12), being the national chair in 2011-12, and has been on the Golf Coaches Association of America National Advisory Board for the last eight years (2005-13).

Card played an instrumental role in WWU playing host to the 2009 national tournament.

Last week, Card was appointed athletic director on an interim basis by WWU Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services Eileen Coughlin after Lynda Goodrich announced her retirement following 26 years in that role.

Card has served as an associate athletic director at WWU for 23 years after two years as Finance and Administrative Officer for Division of Student Affairs Office at Washington State University. He also was a staff analyst for WSU Student Services.

Card received his bachelor's degree in business administration and finance from WSU in 1987. He lettered four years in golf for the Cougars, being the team captain in 1986 and 1987.

The 29-year-old Bennett, who has served two seasons as a Viking assistant, is completing his second year as the Director of Instruction at the Lake Padden Golf School in Bellingham. He also was an assistant professional at the Semiahmoo Golf Resort in Blaine for four years and at the Homestead Golf and Country Club in Lynden for one year.

Bennett earned third-team GCAA All-America honors as a junior at WWU in 2005 and received All-America honorable mention as a senior.

A two-time GCAA West Region all-star, Bennett helped WWU to three NCAA II national championships, the Vikings placing ninth in 2004 and 2005 and 11th in 2003.