46.3 F
Clarksville
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeSportsAustin Peay State University names Dustin Korte as Men's Golf Interim Coach

Austin Peay State University names Dustin Korte as Men’s Golf Interim Coach

APSU Sports Information Office

Austin Peay State University Governors - APSUClarksville, TN – Dustin Korte, who spent the past season as part-time assistant to Kirk Kayden after a superb Governors golf career, has been named Austin Peay State University interim men’s golf coach.

Korte will step into the void left by Kayden, who announced last week he had accepted the head-coaching position at Mercer.

Dustin Korte shakes hands with former APSU coach Kirk Kayden after Korte birdied his final hole as a Governor at the 2013 NCAA Championship in Alpharetta, Georgia. (APSU Sports Information)
Dustin Korte shakes hands with former APSU coach Kirk Kayden after Korte birdied his final hole as a Governor at the 2013 NCAA Championship in Alpharetta, Georgia. (APSU Sports Information)

Korte is expected to remain in the position until a decision for a permanent replacement is determined.

“We are pleased to announce the interim appointment of Dustin Korte as our men’s golf coach,” said APSU Athletics Director Derek van der Merwe. “Dustin is an outstanding individual who knows this program and understands its great legacy of success. In the coming weeks, we will begin the national search process of finding the new head coach for Austin Peay.”

“I got a text that coach (Kayden) was heading to Mercer, it was one of those things where when an opportunity comes along you can’t hesitate,” Korte said. “I didn’t know what Austin Peay was going to do but I knew I had to at least try to get the position. The interim position is perfect for me. It’s not like I am seasoned. I have a lot to learn. It will be a great experience.”

After participating in the 2013 NCAA championship–the first Governor to appear in the championship since 1987–in Alpharetta, Georgia, and continuing to hone his game before turning pro late in 2013. Korte returned to APSU last fall to assist Kayden with the Governors.  Korte got a little taste of being in charge when he took a group of Governors to UT Martin to play in an October tournament while Kayden had the starting group in Ohio.

“It was a great time and good experience and things went well,” Korte said. “But now it’s a little different scenario—there is a lot more on the plate. Anyone can take some players an hour or so away and then come right back.

“It is a whole different feeling starting with the paperwork and going beginning to end, making sure everything is done the right way.”

The chance to coach at his alma mater is bittersweet for Korte, who saw his game develop and mature under Kayden’s watchful eye.

“Bittersweet has been the word,” Korte said. “Coach really helped me out while I was here and just did a great job with this program. But he had just a terrific opportunity he could not pass up.

“Coach is still helping me out—he told me to call him at any time if I had any questions.”

As a senior, Korte led Austin Peay to a school-best seventh place finish at the NCAA Tempe Regional, shooting a 6-under 204 that earned him the opportunity to play in the NCAA Championship at the Capital City Club Crabapple Course.

That came after the Govs captured the 2013 Ohio Valley Conference Golf Championship by nine strokes—it was an APSU record sixth tourney championship that season.

Korte also earned All-OVC and OVC all-tourney. In addition, he was chosen to the Division I Ping Southeast All-Region team as chosen by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

The Metropolis native recorded eight Top 10 and 11 Top 12 finishes, including claiming medalist honors at the Memphis Invitational and COG Mizzou Intercollegiate as a senior.

The Governors return four players from the 2013-14 team—senior Tucker Wallace, juniors Chris Baker and Austin Kramer—all three former Korte teammates, in fact, the former two playing with Korte in the Tempe Regional—and sophomore Erik Hedberg, whom Korte worked extensively with last season.

The team also will feature four freshmen: Colton Godwin, an Ocala, FL, native who enjoyed a superb high school and junior golf career; Jamie Arens, an Ohio native who recently competed in the U.S Public Links championship in Newton, Kansas; Jonas Vaisanen, a Karby Finland native who is member of the Finland Boys National Team, and Luis Navarrete, of Guadalajara, Mexico, who was one of top-rated players in the 2013 Mexican National Junior Golf Rankings.

RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles