Ryan Donovan Earns Southwest Regional
Coach of the Year Honors.
Ryan Donovan is entering his fourth year as head coach at his alma mater. Donovan, who previously served as an assistant coach under Dale Walker, was promoted to interim head coach after the conclusion of the 2003 fall season and guided SDSU through the entire 2004 spring campaign.
Since assuming the reins of the men's golf program, Donovan has coached the Aztecs to 25 top-10 tournament finishes, 17 top-five tournament finishes, four team titles and two NCAA championship appearances.
Under Donovan's tutelage last year, SDSU captured three team tournament victories en route to its eighth consecutive NCAA regional appearance. Three Aztec golfers - seniors Andrew Scott and Josh Warthen and sophomore David Palm - also claimed individual titles during the season, while Scott and sophomore Aaron Goldberg garnered all-Mountain West Conference accolades.
In 2004-05, Donovan led SDSU to its second NCAA championship appearance in three years, while the Aztecs posted 12 top-10 individual finishes to go along with six straight top-five team performances during the regular season.
Donovan completed his first season as head coach with four of his players finishing with eight top-five individual tournament finishes collectively and two tournament wins both by then-freshman Aaron Goldberg.
Prior to coaching at SDSU, Donovan was a four-year member of the Aztec golf squad and returned to his alma mater after a stint in the professional ranks.
Donovan competed for the Aztecs from 1997-2001. His most successful season came as a junior when he posted five top-30 finishes. During his senior year, Donovan shot a career-best 4-under 212 at the Aztec Invitational, placing second overall and helping SDSU to the tournament title.
Donovan also has national experience on his playing résumé. He qualified for the U.S. Amateur in 1996 and 1999 and also played in the British Amateur in 2001 before turning pro. He then competed on the Golden State Tour in 2001 and the Gateway Tour in 2002.
A native of Yorba Linda, Calif., Donovan was a four-time all-Sunset League performer at Esperanza High School and was named first-team all-Orange County his senior season. Donovan graduated with a degree in public administration and currently resides in San Diego. |
Chris Smeal has devoted all of his time the past five years to help develop juniors golfers into proven tournament players. He has studied the games best players, the most developed juniors, the most succesful collegiate players and now has a teaching program that is producing outstanding results. His #1 goal is to help juniors reach their ultimate potential.
- Teaching Golf at Stadium Golf Center Since 2001
- Developer Of Future Champions Golf and the
San Diego Junior Golf Academy and Chris Smeal Golf Schools
- Head Instructor for the American Golf and Tennis Academy: 2006
- Head of Group Clinics at Stadium Golf Center- 2001-2005
- Assistant Golf Coach for Rancho Bernardo High School- 2001
- Assistant Coach for Scripps Ranch Girls Team 2005-2006
- Assistant Coach for Serra High School Boys Team- 2005
- Instructor for USA Camps at Pro Kids Golf Academy and Learning Center- 2003
- Junior Camp Instructor- 2001-Present
- Attendee of Teaching Workshops and Seminars by Top 100 Golf Instructors
- Became a Scratch Golfer in two years from age 15-17
- Rancho Bernardo High School Standout
- Course Record 63 at Par 71 Carmel Mountain Ranch and 21 at Par 27 Four Points GC
- Played 3 Years for San Diego State University
- Turned Professional in 2001.
AWARDS and DEGREES
- San Diego PGA Junior Golf Leader- 2005
- Recognized as One of the Top 50 Junior Instructors in America--2004, 2005, 2006
- Apprentice Professional of the Year, San Diego Chapter PGA-2004
- Certified Body Balance Teaching Professional
- Became a PGA Member in January of 2005 by completing the PGA PGM Program.
- Bachelor Degree in Economics from San Diego State University--2001
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