Jul 21, 2005
PLEASANTVILLE, NY ? Pace University Director of Athletics Joseph O?Donnell has announced that Don Samatulski has been named the head coach of the men?s and women?s golf program, effective immediately. Samatulski will take over a men?s golf program that qualified for the NCAA Super Regional in 2004 and 2005 and were also NCAA Regional participants in 2001 and 2002.
Despite having no prior coaching experience on the collegiate level, Samatulski has over 30 years of experience as a golf pro and instructor. After receiving his PGA Tour card in 1974, Samatulski served as an Assistant Golf Professional at Rock Ridge Country Club, Race Brook Country Club, D. Fairchild Wheeler, Rolling Hills Country Club and Shorehaven Golf Club. Samatulski has also been the Head Golf Professional at Saranac Lake Golf Club in Saranac Lake, NY from 1997 to 2000. Prior to that, he held the same position at Rock Ridge Country Club in Newtown, CT from 1987 to 1996.
Samatulski has been the Teaching Professional for all adult and junior programs at The Golf Academy at The Golf Center of Connecticut since 2002. While there, he has also been an instructor at Tiger Woods? First Tee Program at Short Beach Golf Course in Stratford, CT. Prior to that, Samatulski was an instructor at the Stony Hill Learning Center in Bethel, CT.
His playing accomplishments include Medalist honors at the Westchester Open at the Greenwich Country Club in 1984 and 1985. Samatulski also holds course records at the Buccanier Hotel and Country Club in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands and also D. Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course in Bridgeport, CT. In 1973 as an amateur, Samatulski finished 28th at the United States Public Links Championship in Flanders, NJ.
Samatulski commented that , ?I?ve seen a couple of our players at tournaments before. They?re a good group of kids and they?re all solid players. I think I can help them settle down and not waste shots.?
Samatulski went on to say that, ?This is a great opportunity for me. I?ve never coached on the college level before and I?m very excited to start. This is a good opportunity for the athletes as well, because I think that I can help in the areas where they need to improve. There?s a lot of potential for these guys to do well and I can?t wait to get started.?
Director of Athletics Joseph O?Donnell noted that, ?Don is an experienced professional with over 30 years of instructing under his belt. We feel that he can help our student athletes improve on the golf course. Given the program?s success and his expertise, we hope for another great season.?
