SEWANEE, Tenn - Announced by Director of Athletics John Shackelford on Thursday, May 26, Director of Golf Nate Parrish will be retiring from his post, effective June 30.
Parrish spent nine seasons at the helm of both the men's program and eight as the head women's coach. As he leaves the collegiate golf landscape, both programs are ranked in the top-25 nationally.
"This is a bittersweet moment for me," said Parrish. "I have such great admiration and respect for all my players and their families, but the time is right for a new professional chapter."
As Head Men's Golf Coach:
During his tenure as the head men's coach, Parrish turned around a team that was in the basement of the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) to one of the best. The Tigers won the SAA Championship in 2021 and earned two NCAA Championship appearances (2021-22).
The Purple and White wrapped up a ninth place finish at the Championships in 2022, matching its best finish in program history and its best place in the Division III era. The team posted a 72-hole score of 1,205.
Sewanee finished in the top-25 of the Golf Coaches Association of America's (GCAA) final Division III rankings in three of the last five seasons The Tigers concluded the 2022 campaign ranked ninth in the coaches poll and eighth in the final GolfStat rankings.
The SAA Coach of the Year in 2021, Parrish saw nine male student-athletes earn All-Conference accolades, and two, Tommy Oliver C'20 and Pearse Lucas were named the league's Player of the Year. Lucas, who was also the Newcomer of the Year in 2022, was also named the NCAA Division III Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award, highlighting the best first-year golfer in the country.
Additionally, two Tigers, Oliver and Basil Boyd C'21, were named All-Americans under Parrish's helm.
In the classroom, a total of 41 selections were listed on the SAA Academic Honor Roll and six were named All-American Scholars by the GCAA.
As Head Women's Golf Coach:
Parrish saw his team qualify for the NCAA Championships in each of his first six years at the helm. After Emily Javadi C'16 made the championships as an individualist in 2013, 2014 and 2015, the team qualified as an at-large into the NCAA Championships in 2016. Earning the first team appearance in the program's 28-year history, the Purple Tigers recorded its best finish of seventh (946) in the championships.
After the team's success that season, Parrish was named the National Coach of the Year by the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA)
The next year, Sewanee secured the automatic qualifier to the NCAAs by winning the SAA Championships.
During Parrish's tenure, two Tigers were All-Americans, Javadi C'16, a three-time member, and Meghan Symonds C'18. Additionally, he saw 17 selections to the All-SAA Team. Alison Eleey C'16 and Javadi were both four-time All-Conference selections.
In the classroom, a total of 44 selections were listed on the SAA Academic Honor Roll and three were named All-American Scholars by the WGCA.
"Nate Parrish leaves a legacy of continuous growth and sustained excellence with both our men's and women's golf programs. His effortless smile and easy going nature belies his inner competitiveness. He's served many more roles with his student-athletes than simply a coach. Nate is a mentor, friend, advisor, and trusted counselor to both students and peers alike. Our golf programs are succeeding on the course and in the classroom and Nate leaves behind a program that is poised for continued national success," said Shackleford.
"I have enjoyed every minute. Seeing the athletic development of players, watching their lifelong friendships develop and watching these teams grow into a respected nationally ranked program has been more than I could have ever hoped. I am so grateful to athletic directors Mark Webb and John Shackleford for giving me this opportunity," said Parrish.
A national search will begin immediately for the next head coach.
