Men's Golf | 8/1/2017 2:54:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. – Former Armstrong State golf coach Michael Butler has joined the Georgia Southern athletics staff as the director of the school's Golf Performance Center, which is set to open in early 2018.

Butler will utilize his extensive teaching experience to begin a golf instruction operation for Georgia Southern alums, donors and supporters of the program at the new performance center with the goal of generating new fundraising opportunities to support Georgia Southern golf.

"Michael has a wealth of teaching experience as well as the capability to cultivate the relationships we need to support and continue to grow both golf programs at Georgia Southern," said Georgia Southern men's golf coach Carter Collins. "We're excited about the opportunities Michael will be able to generate in this new position."

Butler's duties will also include serving as the golf facilities liaison for the Bennett-Ramsey Golf Center, help with the tournament operations of the Gene Crawford Pro-Am and help begin an annual women's collegiate event which would be hosted by the Eagle women's golf program.

"We are looking forward to working with Michael in creating a women's premier collegiate event," said women's coach Emily Kuhfeld. "His experiences will add to our program, and we are glad to have him on board with us."

Butler completed his 17th season as the head men's golf coach at Armstrong State University in 2016-17 while also finishing his 13th season as the head coach of the women's golf team for the Pirates.

He led the Armstrong men to 13 straight NCAA Regionals appearances from 2002-14, including hosting the NCAA Atlantic/Southeast Regional at Savannah Quarters Golf Club in 2007, as well as an NCAA Division II National Championship Runner-Up finish in 2005, also hosted by the Pirates at the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort and Spa. The Pirates hosted the 2014 South/Southeast Super Regional at Savannah Quarters and finished third, advancing to the 2014 NCAA DII National Championships, where they placed 10th, the third Top-10 national finish in program history.

Meanwhile, Butler directed the women's golf team to four NCAA South Regional appearances out of the last five years, as well Peach Belt Conference Championships in 2012 and 2016. Armstrong hosted the 2015 NCAA Women's Golf South Regional at Savannah Quarters.

Butler became the head coach of the reinstated Armstrong men's golf team in 2000 and produced 12 GCAA All-Americans and 11 GCAA Scholar All-Americans in 17 seasons.

Butler's extensive teaching experience comes from his direction of the Georgia School of Golf at Southbrige Golf Club in Savannah. A Savannah native Benedictine High School graduate, Butler earned NJCAA All-America honors at Florida Community College at Jacksonville. He competed for the U.S. in the 1990 World University Games in Montpelier, France, then continued his career at Jacksonville State University, where he was a two-time NCAA Division II All-America honoree for the Gamecocks.

He was honored as the 2001 East Chapter PGA Teacher of the Year, as well as earning 2005 and 2014 GCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year honors.

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