The University of West Florida athletics department joined the NCAA in the fall of 1994, but it wasn’t until the spring of 2001 that the program truly broke onto the national stage. That’s when the men’s golf team delivered the first NCAA national championship for the school.
2000-01 Men's Golf Team
The Argonauts won six events during the 2000-01 season, highlighted by a postseason sweep of the Gulf South Conference, NCAA South Regional and NCAA Championship tournaments.
UWF got hot at the right time, winning the GSC title, tying for the regional crown to advance to nationals, where head coach Steve Fell’s group posted a 4-day total of 12-over-par to outdistance Florida Southern by 15 shots, ending the Mocs’ 3-year reign as the champions. What’s even more telling of the strength of the team and their regional performance, was that the top five teams from the South Regional Tournament all finished among the top seven at the NCAA Championship, giving them the confidence to compete with, and win the championship.
Those following the program’s rise under Fell may tell you that they saw this coming. Especially after the team was so close the previous three seasons, finishing fourth, third and fifth with many of the same pieces each year.
All five student-athletes that participated in the NCAA Championship were named to the All-American team – juniors Bryan Clarke and Kevin Warrick to the first team; freshman Lee Gauthier and senior Stuart Manley; and sophomore Joe Christianson as an honorable mention.
Manley was named the GSC Player of the Year and won the individual medalist title. For his efforts, Fell was named the GCAA/Golfweek National Coach of the Year, NCAA District 3 South Coach of the Year and GSC Coach of the Year.
What was your most memorable moment as a UWF student-athlete?
Christianson: “Winning the 2001 NCAA National Championship was amazing, but I also look back on the 2000 Rollins Intercollegiate (in the fall) where we won with a crazy-good final round score (276 was No. 2 in UWF history at that time). This was a moment I’ll never forget and realized that out team could be something special.”
Manley: “Obviously winning the NCAA Championship was a huge highlight, especially being my last event as a senior was very special and something I’ll never forget. But the friendships I developed with teammates and the mentoring from coach Fell – those will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Warrick: “Winning the National Championship in 2001 and ending Florida Southern's run of 3 in a row.”
How has being a student-athlete helped you in life after college?
Clarke: “My student-athlete experience was incredible! It has helped me in so many ways. It helped me with time management skills, working well under pressure, teamwork, how to motivate myself and lead those around me. All of these are life-skills needed on a daily basis in the professional workforce and at home.”
Manley: “It's helped me enormously, it's developed my golf game to the pinnacle of amateur golf and there onto the professional ranks as a successful touring professional on the European Tour. I'm very grateful for what the university and its staff did for me.”
Thoughts from the heart:
Christianson: “I want to thank coach Fell for taking a chance on a transfer in the summer of 2000. I look back on my time at UWF so fondly, and it wouldn’t have happened if coach didn’t give me a shot.”
Clarke: “Being a Tampa resident, I came to UWF and grew to love the area. I now reside with my family in Gulf Breeze, Fla. Also, I would like to take this opportunity to publically recognize and thank my parents – Bob and Beverly Clarke – for all that they did to help inspire and support me in all of my golfing endeavors. I would also like to thank my wife and family for all of the sacrifices they have made for me to become the person I am today. I love you all and thank you!”
Manley: “I would like to say a massive thanks to all my professors and everybody involved at the university of West Florida and especially coach Steve Fell, without his help, dedication and commitment to myself and our great team, I wouldn't be the person and player I am today.”
Warrick: “Coach Fell did a great job getting the best out of us and I consider him one of the most influential people in my life.”
