WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After leading Purdue Women's Golf to numerous school records and tournament titles in his first two seasons as head coach, Zack Byrd signed an extension and was elevated to Purdue Director of Golf. Along with entering his third year as head coach of the women's team, Byrd now has oversight of both Purdue golf programs and will provide leadership support to the new men's golf coach.
"My first two years as a Boilermaker have proven one of the main reasons why I took the head coaching job here at Purdue – that we can win tournaments and compete for national championships," said Byrd. It is an honor to be named Director of Golf at a place that cares about our sport. I'd like to thank Mike Bobinski and Tim House for their unwavering support of Purdue Golf. Another big thanks goes to my assistant coach Lauren Guiao and our director of administration and performance Alex Merrill. Their hard work doesn't go unnoticed, as they have been invaluable in establishing our foundation of success. We have incredible facilities and a rich history, and I am proud that we have continued the winning tradition thus far. It is an exciting time to be a Boilermaker golfer, and we are just getting started."
Byrd was named head coach of Purdue Women's Golf in June 2022 following the retirement of 25-year head coach Devon Brouse. In two seasons under Byrd's guidance, Purdue has collected three tournament titles. The Boilermakers won three tournaments over the previous six seasons before Byrd's arrival. Seventeen of the 50 lowest team rounds in program history have occurred under Byrd, including the school record 270 (-18) at the 2023 Boilermaker Classic as well as the second-best round, a 274 at the 2023 Schooner Fall Classic.
"When we hired Zack, we thought we were giving a rising star his first head coaching job," said Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director/Associate Vice President for Development Tim House, the sport administrator for both golf programs. "In two years, he has completely validated that thought. This promotion, as well as this extension, is a statement that we want to support Coach Byrd and Purdue Golf in winning championships for years to come."
The Boilermakers had one of most successful seasons in recent memory during the 2023-24 campaign, producing two wins and four Top 3 finishes before ending the year with their best national ranking since 2019 (33rd). Winning the Boilermaker Classic and the Mary Fossum Invitational to start the season, Purdue won back-to-back tournaments for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Prior to the fall of 2023, the last time Purdue won its first two tournaments of the season was the start of the 2005-06 campaign. Purdue placed fourth at the Big Ten Championships with an even-par 864, the Boilermakers' best score in the league tournament since 2016, before competing in an NCAA Regional for the ninth straight season.
Purdue secured a berth to the NCAA Championships for the 19th time in program history, placing runner-up at the NCAA Las Vegas Regional for their best regional performance since 2013. The Boilermakers fired an 8-under 280 during the second round, setting a new program best for the lowest round in an NCAA Regional and matching the 2010 Boilermakers at the NCAA Championships for Purdue's best round in any NCAA tournament.
Byrd's second season also featured some additions to the Purdue record book. The Boilermakers produced two of the lowest five team totals (54 holes) in school history, a program-best 837 at the Schooner Fall Classic and an 852 (fifth) at the season-opening Boilermaker Classic. In the Boilermaker Classic, the team fired a 270 (-18) to set a new best for lowest team round. Individually, Ashley Kozlowski and Momo Sugiyama earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors. Kozlowski tied a school record with six rounds in the 60s throughout the season, while Sugiyama posted the third-lowest stroke average in program history (72.45).
In his first season in West Lafayette, the Boilermakers earned their eighth straight NCAA Regional berth and produced four Top 5 finishes throughout the 2022-23 campaign. Byrd's first spring in charge was highlighted by leading Purdue to the team title at the Tulane Classic, the first tournament victory since 2018.
Byrd also showcased his strength in recruiting. Sugiyama was the first commitment of the Byrd era, providing an immediate impact as Purdue's best golfer throughout the 2022-23 campaign. The Hawaii transfer recorded six rounds in the 60s to tie a single-season school record, while earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors at the end of the season.
Before arriving at Purdue, Byrd spent four seasons at Ole Miss, serving as assistant coach before being elevated to associate head coach following the team's 2021 national title. The Rebels captured the 2021 NCAA National Championship, the first ever by a women's team in school history. Before transitioning to coaching, Byrd spent 10 years as a professional golfer.
Following the resignation of former director of golf and men's head coach Rob Bradley, the men's team is expected to name a new head coach in the coming days.
"My first two years as a Boilermaker have proven one of the main reasons why I took the head coaching job here at Purdue – that we can win tournaments and compete for national championships," said Byrd. It is an honor to be named Director of Golf at a place that cares about our sport. I'd like to thank Mike Bobinski and Tim House for their unwavering support of Purdue Golf. Another big thanks goes to my assistant coach Lauren Guiao and our director of administration and performance Alex Merrill. Their hard work doesn't go unnoticed, as they have been invaluable in establishing our foundation of success. We have incredible facilities and a rich history, and I am proud that we have continued the winning tradition thus far. It is an exciting time to be a Boilermaker golfer, and we are just getting started."
Byrd was named head coach of Purdue Women's Golf in June 2022 following the retirement of 25-year head coach Devon Brouse. In two seasons under Byrd's guidance, Purdue has collected three tournament titles. The Boilermakers won three tournaments over the previous six seasons before Byrd's arrival. Seventeen of the 50 lowest team rounds in program history have occurred under Byrd, including the school record 270 (-18) at the 2023 Boilermaker Classic as well as the second-best round, a 274 at the 2023 Schooner Fall Classic.
"When we hired Zack, we thought we were giving a rising star his first head coaching job," said Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director/Associate Vice President for Development Tim House, the sport administrator for both golf programs. "In two years, he has completely validated that thought. This promotion, as well as this extension, is a statement that we want to support Coach Byrd and Purdue Golf in winning championships for years to come."
The Boilermakers had one of most successful seasons in recent memory during the 2023-24 campaign, producing two wins and four Top 3 finishes before ending the year with their best national ranking since 2019 (33rd). Winning the Boilermaker Classic and the Mary Fossum Invitational to start the season, Purdue won back-to-back tournaments for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Prior to the fall of 2023, the last time Purdue won its first two tournaments of the season was the start of the 2005-06 campaign. Purdue placed fourth at the Big Ten Championships with an even-par 864, the Boilermakers' best score in the league tournament since 2016, before competing in an NCAA Regional for the ninth straight season.
Purdue secured a berth to the NCAA Championships for the 19th time in program history, placing runner-up at the NCAA Las Vegas Regional for their best regional performance since 2013. The Boilermakers fired an 8-under 280 during the second round, setting a new program best for the lowest round in an NCAA Regional and matching the 2010 Boilermakers at the NCAA Championships for Purdue's best round in any NCAA tournament.
Byrd's second season also featured some additions to the Purdue record book. The Boilermakers produced two of the lowest five team totals (54 holes) in school history, a program-best 837 at the Schooner Fall Classic and an 852 (fifth) at the season-opening Boilermaker Classic. In the Boilermaker Classic, the team fired a 270 (-18) to set a new best for lowest team round. Individually, Ashley Kozlowski and Momo Sugiyama earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors. Kozlowski tied a school record with six rounds in the 60s throughout the season, while Sugiyama posted the third-lowest stroke average in program history (72.45).
In his first season in West Lafayette, the Boilermakers earned their eighth straight NCAA Regional berth and produced four Top 5 finishes throughout the 2022-23 campaign. Byrd's first spring in charge was highlighted by leading Purdue to the team title at the Tulane Classic, the first tournament victory since 2018.
Byrd also showcased his strength in recruiting. Sugiyama was the first commitment of the Byrd era, providing an immediate impact as Purdue's best golfer throughout the 2022-23 campaign. The Hawaii transfer recorded six rounds in the 60s to tie a single-season school record, while earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors at the end of the season.
Before arriving at Purdue, Byrd spent four seasons at Ole Miss, serving as assistant coach before being elevated to associate head coach following the team's 2021 national title. The Rebels captured the 2021 NCAA National Championship, the first ever by a women's team in school history. Before transitioning to coaching, Byrd spent 10 years as a professional golfer.
Following the resignation of former director of golf and men's head coach Rob Bradley, the men's team is expected to name a new head coach in the coming days.