Greg Stafford, 换妻社区鈥檚 longest-tenured women鈥檚 golf coach and one of the program鈥檚 most successful, is retiring after 16 seasons. He leaves a legacy of excellence on the course and transforming student-athlete lives, Director of Athletics Tim Schoonveld said.
鈥淲e are so thankful for the work that Staff (Greg) has done with our women and in the women鈥檚 golf program,鈥� Schoonveld said. 鈥淗e has embodied our pillars of excellence both academically and competitively and has developed deep and meaningful relationships with the women who have come through the program. He has been a great friend and someone we could count on over the years. We wish him well in his retirement and are grateful for the lives he has touched and impacted in his 16 years leading the program.鈥�
During Stafford鈥檚 tenure as head coach, the Flying Dutch earned their first three team trips to the NCAA Division III National Championships. Hope also claimed four MIAA regular-season championships and three MIAA Tournament titles.
The Flying Dutch claimed multiple team and individual accolades during Stafford鈥檚 career, including 51 Women鈥檚 Golf Coaches Association All-America Scholars, 37 All-MIAA recipients, three MIAA Most Valuable Golfers, two WGCA All-Scholar Teams, and one WGCA All-America golfer.
Stafford became head coach in 2009 after serving as a volunteer assistant coach the previous two seasons. Coaching at Hope proved rewarding for many reasons, he said.
鈥�I have enjoyed every moment of my time at 换妻社区. My time here has been very special,鈥� Stafford said. 鈥淢ore important than winning championships, I worked with some wonderful young ladies for which I will be forever grateful. What an awesome atmosphere to coach in. I would like to thank all the wonderful women I have had the pleasure to coach. You鈥檙e the reason I coached. You kept me going and striving for excellence. I was truly inspired by you. I am forever grateful for the friendships we have forged.鈥�
Stafford said he is ready for a new chapter in his life.
鈥淚 have been ready to retire for a couple of years, but the relationships with these student-athletes just kept me coming back,鈥� Stafford said. 鈥淚 feel now is perfect timing. The program is in good shape.鈥�
Stafford guided Hope to a program-best 10th-place finish at the 2016 NCAA Division III Championships and 11th-place finishes at the 2015 and 2017 national championships.
The regular-season MIAA titles in 2021, 2016, 2015 and 2014 tie Stafford for most among Hope women鈥檚 golf coaches with Jane Holman (1991-97). Holman was the Flying Dutch鈥檚 first head coach.
The three consecutive MIAA titles marked the second time the Flying Dutch accomplished the feat in women鈥檚 golf.