Q & A with Golf Coaches
What is your athletic background, specifically in golf?
The new Holy Cross College varsity golf coaches, Ryan Gowen and Cody Risedorph, are both 2005 graduates of the Ferris State University Professional Golf Management Program. The PGA/PGM program at Ferris State University was the first of its kind in the nation and still holds, reputably so, to be among the finest in the country. This golf-specific secondary educational program entails training for membership into the PGA of America along with obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business/marketing from Ferris State University.
More specifically, Coach Gowen and Coach Risedorph are both Class A members of the PGA of America and currently serve as assistant golf professionals at the Warren Golf Course at the University of Notre Dame.
Coach Gowen has been at the Warren Golf Course since 2006. Prior to coming to Notre Dame, Gowen was a second assistant golf professional at the Polo Club of Boca Raton, located in Boca Raton, Florida. He came to the Warren Golf Course with a background in member-oriented programs and services, having assisted in the development and management of such programs at the Polo Club. Gowen also served as an assistant golf professional at the Candlestone Inn and Golf Resort in Belding, Michigan, and spent time working with corporate merchandising distribution for the PGA of America at the 35th Ryder Cup in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, in 2004.
Coach Risedorph has also been at the Warren Golf Course since 2006. Prior to coming to Notre Dame, he served as a golf shop assistant at the Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona. Risedorph came to the Warren Golf Course with a background in many aspects of day-to-day golf operations, having helped manage the daily administration of sales and merchandise, managing tee times and coordinating tournaments. Risedorph held a golf shop assistant position at the Eagle-Vail Golf Club in Avon, Colorado, as well as an assistant golf professional position at Coldwater Country Club in Coldwater, Michigan.
Why do you love golf?
Not many professions in this country allow you the opportunity to work with individuals, groups and basically people from all facets of life doing something you love. Golf provides PGA professionals the opportunity to give back to a game which has had such a strong influence on all their lives. Generally speaking, helping people is what we do. Getting to play a round of golf or two from time to time at great golf facilities isn’t all that bad either!
Tell me about the Warren Golf Course.
Recently, the Warren Golf Course was rated by Golfweek as the #2 public golf facility in the entire state of Indiana and was rated in 2006 as one of the top 15 overall university-level golf facilities by Golf Digest. The Warren Golf Course has also hosted many premier amateur events, including qualifiers for the Western Amateur, U.S. Amateur and NCAA Regional championships.
Holy Cross College will be very fortunate to utilize this facility. Aside from the Warren Golf Course, the Saints will be practicing at the 9-hole Notre Dame Golf Course facility on-campus, just across the street from HC. Golf teams will have supervised practice-privileges during the respective golf seasons at both facilities.
What is your coaching style? Why coach?
Our combined coaching styles are unique to our training in the professional golf management program at Ferris State University and our training for membership in the PGA of America. Although, invariably, teaching and learning styles differ, we have both participated in countless clinics and seminars with top golf instructors. We both like to give our students a simple conceptual understanding of how their golf swing works and feels.
We have both had the ability to participate in athletics, are both very competitive and are looking forward to bringing our experiences and backgrounds to Holy Cross College. We strongly anticipate being nationally competitive within the program’s first two seasons.
How do you feel about Holy Cross College?
Although we are new to the Holy Cross College family ourselves, we have noticed that HC provides a very unique environment for students, student athletes and the faculty and staff. Being a smaller institution, HC provides smaller classroom settings for more personalized and successful student-teacher ratios, a community-like setting and an overall nice place to be. You really do feel like family at Holy Cross!
…our new athletic program?
Intercollegiate athletics is an integral part of any liberal arts education at a post-secondary level. It allows for further development of any educational institution.
Being nationally affiliated with the NAIA, Holy Cross is excited to offer opportunities and challenges for student athletes. The new athletic program provides a connection to all associated with Holy Cross: students, faculty/staff, alumni, supporters and the general community. By representing Holy Cross, student athletes will have this unique opportunity to advance the gospel through scholarship and competition, based on the College’s athletic mission.
“…in combination with other competitive levels — heath and fitness classes, recreational sports, and club sports — the total athletic program complements and enhances the academic and social experiences of a liberal arts education…”
How do you feel about the upcoming season?
Coach Gowen and Coach Risedorph are very excited about the upcoming season. Although, inevitably, any new athletic program has its bumps, bruises and road blocks, we are hoping to make the most of this competitive environment.
Recruiting has already begun, and spring showcase events for interested student athletes will allow potential recruits the opportunity to visit campus, play golf at the Warren Golf Course and also give the students the opportunity to meet the new coaching staff, student leaders/advisors, academic advisors and admissions staff. These dates will be posted on the Web site as they are finalized.
More Information?
For more information please contact:
Nathan Walker
Athletic Director
Office: Driscoll 101
Phone: (574) 239-8335
Contact Student Athletics Online
Michael Hodge
Sports Information
Office: Driscoll 101
Phone: (574) 239-8314
E-Mail: mhodge@hcc-nd.edu
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