CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Queens University of Charlotte Director of Athletics Jeannie King is pleased to announce the restructuring of the men’s and women’s golf programs. With the new changes, the programs will have three coaches, as opposed to two, who will help guide the growth of the players and programs. Current Queens’ Director of Professional Golf Management (PGM) Eric Baldwin has been selected as the head coach, while retaining the position with the PGM, assistant coach Andy Serketich will remain on staff as an associate head coach and Queens will look to hire one more individual as an associate head coach.
“I truly believe with these changes the golf programs will be able to reach a whole new level,” said King. “Our programs took significant steps forward this year and we expect t that to continue. The knowledge Eric and Andy have to offer the players is vast and the addition of one more high-quality coach and individual can only help the programs grow exponentially."
Baldwin holds a master’s of education in higher education administration from James Madison University and has been with Queens since 1993. Baldwin joined Queens as the director of residence’ life, was promoted to associate dean of students before becoming the dean of students. While working for the university Baldwin was working to achieve his MBA from the McColl School of Business and helped establish PGM in 1999. Three years later Baldwin was named the PGM Director. Additionally, Baldwin completed executive and life coaching programs from Queens.
In the local golf community Baldwin has been assisting with the PGA’s Wachovia Championship, now the Quail Hollow Championship, since its inception eight years ago. Additionally, he has also been involved with First Tee of Charlotte and was part of the Leadership Committee of District Six of the PGA.
“I am looking forward to seeing the growth that both the PGM program and the men's and women's golf teams experience from this level of support and vision,” said Baldwin. “Our students will benefit directly from the increase in staff and the leveraging of relationships and assets to accomplish our goals to produce high performing teams while assisting students as they explore the golf industry. This is the right move at the right time."
The sentiments by King and Baldwin are echoed by members of the golf teams. David Bainbridge (England, Thomas Alleynes), a junior, and Mallory Ruhling (Pittsburgh, Pa. , Penn Hill), a sophomore, are both a members of the Royals golf teams and enrolled in the PGM program.
“I am excited to see the restructuring of the Queens golf programs and I am confident under Coach Baldwin’s supervision we can improve faster than ever,” said Bainbridge. “Coach Baldwin has been very supportive of me and my teammates over the last three years with golf and all other aspects of life – he truly is a well rounded coach.”
“The changes in the Queens golf programs are very exciting,” said Ruhling. “I think we have created a very strong support system to grow as athletes, students and people. I look forward to playing for this program in the fall and to the high standards we have set for ourselves as a team. I believe nothing but good can come from these changes -we are establishing a quality program to build on in the years to come.”
A national search for the second associate head coach will begin immediately.