Since Assistant Coach Jon Dunlap joined the program in August of 2005, the Nittany Lions have produced some outstanding results highlighted by achieving a program best #6 national rank in the Golfweek Magazine Sagarin system in the fall of 2007. The Nittany Lions have qualified for three consecutive NCAA Championships (2007, 2008, 2009), and advanced to finish 25th at the 2008 NCAA Finals. The Lions have claimed eight team and 10 individual titles since Dunlap joined the program.
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[quote]Having the opportunity to work at one of the most respected Universities in the nation that carries strong values, and to work directly with Coach Nye, who has built upon the rich history of Penn State golf, makes it exciting for me to keep trying to push PSU golf to new heights.[quote]
- Coach Dunlap
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Head coach Greg Nye relates that, [quote]Coach Dunlap joined our team at a time when our team practice facilities and golf course were under heavy construction. It was a big challenge to even conduct practice for a few years. He was instrumental in helping us persevere through that four year period. What was real special about that period was the performance of the team seemed to go hand-in-hand with the improvement of our facilities, and Coach Dunlap had a big hand in making that happen.[quote]
Since Fall 2005, Nittany Lion golfers have received numerous accolades including two GCAA All-Americans, one Golfweek All-American, three Academic All-Americans, five All-Big Ten selections (First or Second Team) and one Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The program has also continued its success in the classroom with the program maintaining an average GPA above 3.0, including 23 Academic All-Big Ten Selections. Additionally, during Dunlap[apos]s first season, the men[apos]s golf team finished first in team G.P.A. out of all the Penn State men[apos]s teams.
Dunlap handles a large share of recruiting evaluations, correspondence and visits, is involved heavily in team practice, player development and coaching during events. Additionally he co-directs Penn State[apos]s annual home event, The Rutherford Intercollegiate.
[quote]Coach Dunlap is involved with nearly every aspect of our program here at Penn State. He has and brings a high level of energy to the team every day, and consistently guides our student athletes through the expectations we as a staff have set forth for our program,[quote] said Nye.
Before arriving at Penn State, Dunlap was the Head Coach at Kennesaw State University (GA) for four seasons.
During his tenure at Kennesaw State, Dunlap helped the Owls to a program best, 7th place finish at the 2002 NCAA Division II National Championship and 2nd place finish at the 2002 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Championship. He coached three GCAA All-Americans, two Academic All-Americans, one PBC All-Conference selection, two GCAA PING All-Region Selections and four PBC Presidential Honor Roll Honorees. Under Dunlap[apos]s guidance, Kennesaw won three tournament titles while four different Owls claimed individual titles. Additionally, Dunlap spent one season as the assistant coach during the 2000-01 season.
While at Kennesaw State, Dunlap continued to play competitively as a professional in Georgia PGA events and worked as the first assistant golf professional and Director of the Junior golf program at the BridgeMill Athletic Club. Dunlap, a native of Toronto, Canada played collegiately at Coker College (SC) and Kennesaw State University (GA). After graduation, Dunlap continued playing competitively as an amateur. Some of his amateur highlights include the 1999 Canadian Amateur and Monday qualifying for the Canadian Tour[apos]s Ontario Open in 2000.
A graduate of Kennesaw State in May 2001, Dunlap also completed his Master[apos]s degree in Business Administration during his first two seasons as head coach in June of 2003.