Lincoln University is celebrating a significant achievement: Director of Golf Kortland Ware has been named the 2024 Non-Division I HBCU Coach of the Year by the Black College Golf Coaches Association and the Golf Coaches Association of America. This recognition highlights Ware’s contributions to collegiate golf as head coach of the Blue Tigers women’s and men’s programs.
In the 2023-2024 season, Ware led the women’s golf team to two notable successes, including securing first place at the National Women’s Collegiate Championship. Also under his guidance, standout player Kaathi Gunasegar earned the individual medalist award and earned the opportunity to compete in the LPGA Pro-Am, where she was paired with top-ranked golfer Nelly Korda. The women’s team also achieved two runner-up finishes and recorded nine top-ten results throughout the season.
Similarly, the men’s program thrived under Ware’s leadership, achieving two second-place finishes, notably at The PGA WORKS Championship held at the renowned PGA Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in May. The Blue Tiger men’s team showcased their talent with four top-five placements and a total of seven top-ten finishes during the year.
Ware’s historic recognition marks him as the first golf coach in Lincoln University‘s history to receive the HBCU Coach of the Year award. The BCGCA awards celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of Black college golfers and coaches across all divisions, emphasizing the impact of leadership and mentorship in the sport.
Ware is a graduate of Lincoln University and returned to his alma mater in 2022 after a career playing golf professionally that began after his graduation in 2010. He also attended Jackson State University before transferring to Lincoln.