STATESBORO – Georgia Southern has named Michael Butler an assistant coach for the women's golf program, it was announced today.

Butler moves into the role after serving as the school's Director of Golf Performance Center and Development for the last two years.

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 was honored as the Peach Belt Conference's Coach of the Year for both the men and the women in his final season at the helm of ASU golf.

"We are looking forward to the skill set and experience that Mike can add to our young program," said Eagle head coach Emily Kuhfeld. "He has gotten to work right away on contributing ideas for recruiting, and I am looking forward to beginning in the fall with him as a valuable member of our staff."

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 in 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.

"I look forward to working with the women's golf program," said Butler. "Georgia Southern University enjoys some of the best golf facilities in the nation, and recruiting and developing new players will be an exciting opportunity."

Butler came to Georgia Southern in 2017 and utilized 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. He also served as the golf facilities liaison for the Bennett-Ramsey Golf Center, helped with the tournament operations of the Gene Crawford Pro-Am and helped begin the Strutter Gus, the women's collegiate event which debuted in 2019.

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.

The Eagles return seven letterwinners, including 2019 Sun Belt Individual champion Ella Ofstedahl, to the 2019-20 roster.