Garry Winger Named Men's Golf Assistant Coach
6/15/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
June 15, 2012
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's golf head coach Casey Lubahn announced the hiring of Garry Winger as his new assistant coach on Friday. Winger has been the head coach at his alma mater, Bowling Green State University for the last 14 years.
"We are thrilled to add Garry to our staff at MSU," said Lubahn. "Throughout the search, his success and experience as a head coach and his vision for our program stood out. His relationship-building skills and competitive drive will immediately enhance our program, as well as his strong desire to see this program at the top of the Big Ten and the NCAA. I look forward to working with him as we continue the process of getting better week in and week out."
"I would like to thank Casey Lubahn, Mark Hollis and the entire Michigan State athletic department for providing me the opportunity to come to Michigan State," said Winger. "My wife, children and I are looking forward to the new challenge ahead of us and our new beginning as part of the Spartan family."
Winger replaces former Spartan All-American Ryan Brehm on the MSU coaching staff. Brehm resigned from his position in May to fully pursue his professional golf career.
"We cannot thank Ryan enough for his energy and passion for MSU golf," said Lubahn. "Many of the successes we experienced this year are because of his efforts. He is a wonderful Spartan and we wish him well as he chases his dreams of playing professional golf at the highest level. We know he will always be a part of our program."
During Winger's tenure at Bowling Green, the Falcons won nine team collegiate events, in addition to 10 individual titles. Also individually, Winger has coached four All-MAC selections and two Cleveland All-America Scholars.
Aside from the Falcons' success on the course, Winger also has been integral in team and athletic department fundraising, including developing the first-ever men's golf endowment and raising funds to build the Falcon Golf Training Center and a wedge range at the Forrest Creason Golf Course.
While acting as head coach at BGSU, Winger also held the position of Assistant Director of Golf at Forrest Creason Golf Course in Bowling Green, Ohio from 1998-2004, in addition to instructing golf course classes through BGSU's School of Human Movement during that time.
The London, Ontario, native took those positions after playing professional golf for four years (1995-98). He played on the Canadian PGA Tour for two years (1996-97), while also earning five professional wins across the Cleveland Tour, Gary Player Tour, Moonlight Tour and Tommy Armour Tour.
A 1994 graduate with a degree in business, Winger concluded his Falcon career with the program's lowest career scoring average (75.0), single-season scoring average (72.4) and 54-hole record (210). A second-team All-MAC selection and MAC Sportsmanship Award winner as a senior, Winger placed third at the MAC Championships in 1994 and sixth in 1993.
Upon graduation, Winger was a volunteer assistant coach for both the Bowling Green men's and women's golf teams for one season.
Winger and his wife, Kate have two sons, Rhett and Nolan.
Players Mentioned
