GCU Completes Restructuring of Golf Program

Paul Purtzer has been named director of golf at Grand Canyon University. As such, he will serve as head coach of GCU’s men’s golf program and direct new efforts in golf instruction, course-management opportunities and the development of a new academic program. He will start immediately and begin to shape the complexities of this new department.

Along with Purtzer, GCU has hired Don Powers to be assistant director of golf and head coach of the women’s golf program.

For the past 15 years, Purtzer has been the president and CEO of the Purtzer Golf Academy and Purtzer Golf Outings in Phoenix. He also brings with him more than 25 years of experience as a PGA Professional, teaching and coaching golfers of all skill levels, from beginners to US Open champions. He is a highly-regarded teacher of the game of golf and, following three NCAA All-America seasons (1968-70) at Arizona State University, he also played for nine years as a tour professional on both the PGA and Asian Tours.

Purtzer has served nearly 13 years in golf-course management positions including the Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale and the prestigious Minikahda Club in Minneapolis.

Powers has 25 years’ experience in tournament management, golf operations, golf course maintenance and instruction. He has been an instructor for Purtzer Golf in Phoenix and Fit Fore Golf in Colorado Springs, Colo. since 2008. Prior to that, he spent 16 years as the head golf professional at the North Oaks Golf Club in St. Paul, Minn., which was voted the “Best Private Club in Minnesota” by the Minnesota Golf Association in 2002. He also was director of golf at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park from 1989-92 and the director of sport at the Tucson National Resort and Spa in Tucson from 1984-89.

Powers was a two-time All-American at ASU and played on the PGA, National Golfers of America and South American Tours. He created the NGA, the first men’s professional mini tour of America in which greats such as Fuzzy Zoeller, Payne Stewart, Tom Lehman and Tom Purtzer (current Champions Tour player and Paul’s brother) got their professional start.

GCU has been actively developing a new academic opportunity for a golf management degree emphasis, increasing access and availability of golfing facilities for student-athletes, and forming relationships to build a brand in the community that will emphasize the overall excellence of the university through golf in terms of intercollegiate participation and public access to both participation and some of the finest PGA instruction.

“Grand Canyon University is excited about the opportunity to bring NCAA National Championships to Arizona,” GCU Director of Athletics B. Keith Baker said. “Our desire is to help provide the very best competitive environment and championship experience for the student-athletes who come here to represent their schools. Having partners like the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission and the City of Surprise is of great benefit to the participants and fans.”

GCU also has been exploring a unique opportunity to acquire a golf-course facility and this has prompted some shifting of its intercollegiate operation.

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Grand Canyon University Athletics

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