CALIFORNIA (June 16) – A graduate of the university and a veteran assistant coach with the program, Kyle Bennett was promoted to head coach for men's and women's golf at California (PA) this month.

Bennett recently completed his sixth season as an assistant coach with the Vulcans. During his time with the golf programs, Cal has featured multiple Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Athlete of the Year and PSAC Freshman of the Year recipients with a combined 14 All-PSAC selections.

"I'm beyond excited for this opportunity to lead the Vulcan golf programs," said Bennett. "As an alumnus, I bring a lot of passion and pride to the golf teams. I am confident I will continue to develop the character of the student-athletes on and off the golf course."

This spring, the women's team placed second at the weather-shortened PSAC Championships to mark the program's best finish at the event since 2016. The Vulcans featured multiple golfers among the top five on the individual leader board with both later receiving All-PSAC laurels.

The men's team finished fifth at the PSAC Championships last fall before earning a team qualifier to the NCAA Atlantic/East Regional Championships in May. Cal has played at the NCAA Regionals as a team four times in the last six years, plus featured an individual qualifier in 2021.

"Since Kyle joined the coaching staff, he has brought his knowledge and his experience to our student-athletes. His professionalism, work ethic and his overall goals for the program will continue to build upon the success of both Cal golf teams," said Athletic Director Dr. Karen Hjerpe. "He has shown his ability to be a leader and develop the skills of each individual golfer. We are excited to move forward with Kyle as our head coach for men's and women's golf."

Bennett aided in the development of four-time All-PSAC honoree Rachel Wilson, who was also tabbed the 2019 PSAC Freshman of the Year. She earned All-PSAC first-team status in each of her last three seasons while carding a top-three finish at the league championships each year. She closed her career with a scoring average of 83.0 strokes and posted a total of 11 top-five finishes.

While with the men's program, Bennett worked with three-time, all-region honoree Ryan Smith. He placed third overall at the 2017 PSAC Championships, as the Vulcans finished second in the team standings, and the following year was named the PSAC Champion Scholar. Smith closed his junior campaign by finishing in 10th place at the regional championships, which Cal hosted at Totteridge Golf Club in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Bennett was one of six finalists for the 2022 Jan Strickland Outstanding Assistant Coach Award presented by TaylorMade Golf Company. He was the lone NCAA Division II finalist among the group as the other assistants were from Kansas, North Carolina, Pepperdine, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.

A native of New York, Bennett previously served as an assistant golf professional at Lone Pine Country Club in nearby Washington, Pennsylvania. While residing in Washington County, he also spent time as a coach at the scholastic level by working with the junior varsity program at Trinity High School.

Bennett earned his bachelor's degree in professional golf management with a minor in business administration from Cal in 2012. While pursuing his degree, he spent time working at The Chevy Chase Club in Maryland, the Country Club of York in Pennsylvania and Valley Brook Country Club in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

As a senior at Cal, Bennett played for the PGM club team before becoming the Tri-State Assistant Tournament Points Leader in 2016. He has posted seven top-10 finishes at the Tri-State Assistant Section Championship in the last eight years and qualified for the 2017 National Assistant Championship. Bennett won the Tri-State PGA Associate Player of the Year Award in 2020.

Bennett was elected into PGA Membership in the fall of 2020.

Former head coach Peter Coughlin resigned to pursue opportunities in the private sector.