WESSON – Copiah-Lincoln Community College golf coach Ronny Ross has been named the 2013 NJCAA Division II Central Region Coach of the Year by Eaton Golf Pride. Eaton Golf recognizes 31 college golf coaches, across all divisions and levels, annually as Region Coach of the Year.

     He was also named the 2013 Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Junior College Golf Coach of the Year. Ross was recognized during the annual MAC Hall of Fame Banquet on June 28 at the Hilton Hotel in Jackson. He had earlier been named the 2013 MACJC Coach of the Year.

     Under Ross’ tutelage, Wolfpack golfer Corbin May won the 2013 Herbert Tucker Award for the lowest scoring average in the state for the year. May also claimed medalist honors in the MACJC State Tournament and the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

     The 2013 Wolfpack won the MACJC Division II State Championship, their second championship in the last four years. He was named MACJC Coach of the Year in 2009.

     “It’s amazing how good players make good coaches,” said Ross. “Obviously, having the golf course on campus is a big draw. Taking my son, Jacob, to all these junior tournaments over the years, helped me meet a lot of talented players. Jacob became good friends with Corbin May. He helped me recruit and bring him to Co-Lin.”

     Ross, 47, who also serves as the director of golf operations at Wolf Hollow Golf Club, has coached the Wolfpack for 13 years. He previously served as head golf professional at Wolf Hollow and Co-Lin’s golf coach from 1995-2001.

     Prior to his return to Wolf Hollow, Ross served as head golf professional and general manager of Brookhaven Country Club. He also was assistant golf professional at Oak Harbor Golf Club in Slidell, La.

     Ross said  Co-Lin’s golf team received assistance from Michael Gates of the KDMC Performance Center. Gates created a workout routine that helped the Wolfpack achieve a high level of success.

      “We worked out Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6 a.m.,” said Ross. “Those workouts developed a level of confidence in our players. They walked and looked like athletes. It gave them an advantage in those tough matches, especially on the final, closing holes.”

      Ross is a member of the Professional Golf Association of America – Gulf States (Mississippi and Louisiana) Section. He served as vice president and tournament director for all assistant golf pro’s in Mississippi and Louisiana in 1994-95 and is the past president of the Mississippi Junior Golf Association. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a B.S. in marketing/professional golf management.

     He and his wife, Elizabeth, are the parents of two children, Jacob and Olivia. Jacob has signed a golf scholarship with Ole Miss.

     Eaton’s GolfGrip Division is the world’s largest manufacturer of golf grips, with manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities on five continents. The division’s Golf Pride Brand is recognized globally as the number one choice in grips among tour and recreational players, competitive amateur golfers, club manufacturers and club repairmen.