SAN ANTONIO (June 6, 2019) – OLLU has named Arnie Martinez as Men's Golf Interim Head Coach. Martinez has been with the golf program since 2013, which includes five years as the assistant coach. During his time with the team, the Saints have won five Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) titles and two Association for Independent Institutions' titles and have qualified for three NAIA National Championship Tournaments. In 2017, the team finished in 15th place at nationals and the following year, they completed their season as the 21st best team in the nation. This past May, the Saints finished in 20th place to end their season.
Martinez will manage all facets of the Saints golf program from recruiting to practice schedules and practices, tournament strategy, course management/strategy, implementing and overseeing physical conditioning, as well as team and player development.
Athletic Director Shane Hurley said, "Arnie has been an integral part of our golf program both as a player and as a coach. His experience as a golf pro has established credibility to our program and a high standard for technical guidance. I look forward to seeing him having a greater role in the future of the program, as well as the opportunity to make his own vision take shape for OLLU Golf."
Under Martinez's leadership, his players and teams have earned many accolades, including the following major accomplishments:
Steve Landry (SR/Cibolo, Texas) - 2019 NAIA Ping Regional Team, 2018 RRAC Newcomer of the Year
Zhao Yang Gu (FR/Weihai, Shandong, China) - 2019 NAIA National Player of the Week, RRAC Newcomer of the Year
2015, 2016, 2017 NAIA Scholar Team
Kane Ybarra (JR/San Antonio, Texas) - 2017 NAIA All-American, RRAC Player of the Year, RRAC Newcomer of the Year
Martinez was a standout collegiate student-athlete at OLLU from 2008-2010. He followed his time at OLLU with the 2013 Greater San Antonio Men's City Championship title and was selected to play on the prestigious Rudy's 135 Cup representing San Antonio.
A few summers ago, Martinez qualified for the prestigious pro event - the Texas State Open and was awarded one of the three qualifying spots in the field. In 2015, Martinez competed in the Valero Texas Open Qualifier after making the cut in the Pre-Qualifier of the competition.
Martinez also is a touring professional golfer playing on several tours including the Adams Pro Tour, where he continues to improve to reach his goal of earning a PGA Tour card.
Previous to his head coaching job at OLLU, Martinez was the head golf professional at the Republic Golf Course.
Martinez commented, "I am very happy and excited to be coaching the golf team. We've had a standing tradition of hard work and discipline, and I am excited to continue that legacy. Golf has always been very important to me, and it is something I take seriously. I am honored to be able to coach at OLLU - the university I attended."
He is a graduate of Holy Cross High School, and he and his wife Shaenadia reside in San Antonio.