CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern University has named Matthew Cram-Smith as Head Women’s Golf Coach, and has appointed Mike Wilson as the Director of Golf, CSU Athletic Director Hank Small announced on Monday..
Wilson, the head men’s golf coach, will oversee both programs. Named 2011-2012 Big South Coach of the Year, Wilson led the Buccaneers men’s golf team to a third place finish at the BSC Conference Championships. Under Wilson’s guidance, CSU’s Jacobo Pastor and David Denlinger would reach the NCAA Regionals as idividuals.
In the 2011-2012 season, the CSU men’s golf team compiled 36-hole and 54-hole records en route to besting the competition by capturing the 24th Annual Coca-Cola Invite with a 23-under par final ledger.
"It is a great honor to be named Director of Golf at Charleston Southern University," Wilson said Monday. "I want to thank Coach Small, Dr. (Rick) Brewer, and Dr. (Jairy) Hunter for this opportunity. My goal is to work with our women’s coach and student-athletes in trying to build the strongest golf programs in the Big South Conference."
Matthew Cram-Smith takes over the reins of the Lady Bucs’ golf program after spending the 2011-2012 season as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s teams. The women’s golf team made strides during the season, coming back to finish fourth overall in the BSC Championships.
"I greatly appreciate the opportunity that has been extended to me and especially look forward to continuing to work with and learn from Mike Wilson," said Cram-Smith. "I believe my own experiences as a college player and professional have prepared me to lead these talented players in their own competitive careers."
Cram-Smith served as the lead assistant professional at the Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms, S.C. from 2008-2012. He won the Callaway Carolina’s PGA Assistant Pro Championships in 2011, carding scores of 65-66 to finish with the win.
Prior to the Wild Dunes, he was a member of the Tarheel tour from 2005-2008, recording a top eight finish during his time on the tour.
Before joining the tour, Cram-Smith served as the Assistant to the Director of Center for Global Education at Carson-Newman College from 2004-2005.
During his time with the Eagles, Cram-Smith was a well-decorated member of the men’s golf team, earning South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year honors in both 2003 and 2004. He also received the Hargis Award exemplifying sportsmanship and the spirit of the game in 2004, as voted on by the SAC coaches.
He also received numerous accolades growing up in Perth, Australia, serving as captain of the Western Australia State Colts team in 1999 and was a member of the Western Australia State team in 1998, receiving runner-up honors at the Amateur Championship in 1998.
"After working with both golf programs last season, I'm extremely excited to have been named the Head Women's Coach at CSU. I'm confident in the abilities of our team and look forward to a successful year and future for the women's program," Cram-Smith added. "My wife and I also look forward to playing a role in the college experiences of the team that will help to shape them into well rounded and spiritually grounded young women."
Cram-Smith and his wife Susan live in Charleston, S.C. and are the proud parents of a daughter, Jocelyn (5).