The UTM Golf Team prides itself on having top-notch, talented golfers and even more importantly, excellent students and for their coach, that’s the way it has to be.
Jerry Carpenter, head coach for the Skyhawk linksters, believes that the best golfers are outstanding both on the green and in the classroom.
“You want kids with excellent character and who have really good grades,” said Carpenter.
“Those are the students who will excel in college classes as well as excel in golf … Besides accessing their golf skills, the very next question I ask a prospective UT Martin golfer is how their grades are.”
As well as dedication to their studies, a potential UTM golfer must commit to the time necessary to be a college athlete.
“There’s got to be a passion for the game of golf to play at the college level,” said Carpenter.
Coach Carpenter knows about dedication and passion. He has been a part of the UTM family most of his life. A graduate of Newbern High School in Newbern, Tenn., he graduated from UTM, where he met his wife Linda Scates in 1964. Before becoming involved with the golf program, he worked for 34 years as the manager of the UTM bookstore. After serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the Skyhawk golf team for a year, Carpenter assumed the head coaching position after long-time golf coach Grover Page retired following the 2001-02 season.
The 2013 season has started off very well for the Skyhawks, winning the Wasioto Winds Fall Kickoff tournament in Pineville, Ky. The team won this season opener capping off a dominant three-round performance with a 31-stroke victory beating teams from Walters State, Murray State and Morehead State.
“Our golf program has really improved over the years and that starts with recruiting good players,” said Carpenter. “Our ability to offer our new state-of-the-art golf facility, the Rhodes Golf Center, has been a major attraction to prospective golfers.” Not only has the new golf center made it easier to recruit players, he is positive it will give his golfers the edge to compete successfully in the OVC.
Carpenter is extremely excited about the new golf facility.
“Without the support of Bill and Amy Rhodes, Dr. Tom Rakes, Phil Dane and agricultural professor Dr. Wes Totten, this center would not have happened,”said Carpenter.
Carpenter speaks highly of all of his players and praises their hard work and dedication. He calls himself lucky to get to coach such “good kids.” Another aspect of his job at UTM that he cherishes is his ability to get to work with his son, Scott, who is a volunteer assistant coach for the golf program.
“I have been coaching him since he was five years old,” said Carpenter.
“Scott and I working together is a good mixture of old and new. He relates well to the students; he’s a great scratch golfer, as well as a good hands-on coach.”
Coach Jerry Carpenter lives in Martin with his wife Linda. Besides son, Scott, the Carpenters also have a daughter, Dana, as well as two grandchildren.
