Tom Graves to Step Down as Head Men’s Golf Coach at End of 2018-19 Campaign
SALEM, Ore. – Corban University Athletics announced on Monday that Tom Graves has decided to step down as the Warrior head men's golf coach at the end of the 2018-19 season.
"The past eight years at Corban, as both a player and a coach, have been the best years of my life," said Graves. "Corban provided me with such a great education and overall experience as a student-athlete. Between its mission and personnel, it is truly a top-notch university that I am proud to say that I was associated with and (hopefully) helped to shape where it is at today. There are so many people to thank that I do not know where to begin, but special recognition needs to go out to Greg Eide for giving me this great opportunity, mentoring me, and always believing in me along the way. I would also like to thank Dr. Sheldon Nord for his great leadership of this university, his vision, and his friendship. It is people like him that make the university so unique and special. I will very much miss coaching all of the players who I have grown close to. However, I am excited to announce that I recently got engaged and need to spend the next few years of my life focusing on my marriage and starting a family. This is by no means 'goodbye,' as I will be working full-time at Creekside Golf Club as the Director of Accounting Services. I also plan to stay in close touch with the team and Athletic Department and help out where I can!"
Graves finishes his tenure with the Warriors, having left a legacy of competitive excellence. While serving as the Golf Program Director, Graves oversaw the Warrior women capturing the program's first-ever Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) regular-season and tournament titles during the 2015-16 campaign and was named the CCC Women's Golf Coach of the year in 2016. The Warrior women finished 22nd at the NAIA National Tournament that season.
During the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, Graves led his alma mater to back-to-back CCC regular-season titles, as the Warrior men captured their first and second-ever CCC regular-season championships.
"Coach Graves has built a very successful golf program in his four years of leadership," said Corban Athletic Director Twiggs Reed. "I am grateful for Tom's commitment establishing Corban University as a top-ranked regional and national program. Coach Graves will be missed, but I am excited for the next chapter in Tom's life. Tom will be focusing on his upcoming wedding in February, as well as pursuing his own dreams and aspirations to advance in the golf industry at Creekside Golf Club and as a PGA Associate. I am grateful that Coach Graves will be at Corban for the remainder of the school year, coaching the men's team during the spring season."
During his time as head coach, he has coached one NAIA All-American, two PING All-Region award-winners, and 11 All-CCC honorees.
A national search is underway for the new Director of Golf at Corban University.