HANCEVILLE, Ala. – A golf practice facility in the Wallace State Wellness Center was officially named in honor of the late Coach Dan York this week with family, friends, employees and current and former players in attendance. That facility includes an indoor driving range and putting green.
During York’s 32-year career as head golf coach at Wallace State, the Wallace State men’s golf team won 13 Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC)/National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 22 Championships and made 23 appearances at the NJCAA National Championships. His teams finished runner-up national champions on three occasions – in 1993, 1996 and 2014. Two of his players – Aksel Olsen in 2013 and Cooper Brown in 2014 – were individual national champions, winning the Arnold Palmer Low Medalist Award.
Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics read a resolution from the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees naming the facility, and guests were invited to offer their memories of Coach York.
“Coach Dan York was among the most highly decorated coaches in Wallace State Community College’s history,” Karolewics said.
“It is a great day for our family. He loved this college and his players so much,” said Mary York, his mother.
“He inspired me, meant the world to me, and when we competed, we competed hard,” said Davie Jennings, longtime friend and head coach at Central Alabama Community College.
“He was the most influential person in my life. I wouldn’t be where I am (playing at Loyola) if it weren’t for him,” said Michaela Bryan, former WSCC golfer and Conference Championship Low Medalist in 2018.
“Coach York was a great ambassador for the game of golf, who represented us statewide and nationally,” said Alabama Community College Conference Commissioner Dean Myrick.
Funding for the facility was provided by WSCC alumnus Brett Wetterich through The PGA of America for their Play Golf America programs, a gift Wetterich designated for the college when Wetterich was on the U.S. Ryder Cup Team.
Suzanne Harbin, assistant to the president for advancement, said gifts are now being accepted for the Dan York Memorial Scholarship Fund.
For more information visit www.wsccfuturefoundation.org.
