|
Alex Galvan was hired in the summer of 2002 as the head coach of the men's golf program at Loyola Marymount University. He became just the second head coach of the program in 32 years and using the foundation his former mentor taught him, Galvan has put LMU golf on the nation's map. In seven seasons, Galvan has led the men's golf program to the top of the West Coast Conference and among the nation's top programs. The crowning achievement came in 2006 as he led the team to its first ever WCC Championship, NCAA regional appearance and NCAA National Championship appearance. As he is in his eighth season at the helm of the Lions', Galvan's accomplishments continue to build. In his short tenure, the Lions have had three West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year selections (Chaz Inouye - 2003; Jason D'Amore - 2005; Brian Locke - 2006), 12 All-WCC selections (Chaz Inouye - 2003, 2004; Jason D'Amore - 2005-08; Brian Locke - 2006-08; Josh Escobedo - 2006; Bryan Martin - 2008; Greg Moss - 2009), and three WCC Individual Champions (two-time All-American Brian Locke - 2006, 2007; Greg Moss - 2009). Every year the Lions have gotten better, lowering the team's stroke average, including setting the record for team score in the WCC Championships with an 863 in 2009. The previous record came in 2006 when they won the WCC, hitting an eight-over 872. They did it one better that season with a program-best 17-under 847 at the NCAA West Regional. There is more. The Lions had four players place in the top-20 of the WCC Championships in 2004, another first for the program. He did one better in 2006 with three in the top-five as Locke became the first individual champion in program history. Galvan has had an individual win a tournament 11 times, including three in 2006, four in 2007 and a pair in 2009. Galvan, a 1982 graduate of Loyola Marymount and a four-year letterwinner for the men's golf program, was a volunteer assistant with the Lions in 2001-02 and became the first full-time coach of the men's golf team in LMU history. Galvan, who was team captain in 1982, comes to LMU from El Cabellero Club where he was an assistant golf professional. Galvan played for Head Coach Fr. Tom Higgins, who coached from 1970-2002 before Galvan took over. Galvan was named team MVP by coach Higgins in the 1982 season. "It is really an understatement to say that it is an honor to be coaching at Loyola Marymount," said Galvan. "It is such a privilege to be able to give something back to this institution. A lot has changed since I was here last and this will be a challenge of a lifetime." Prior to his position at the El Cabellero, Galvan was the head golf professional at Tierra Rejada Golf Club from 1999 until 2001. The majority of his golf career was spent at Riviera Country Club as the assistant golf professional. He spent 18 years at Riviera, which hosted the 1983 and 1995 PGA Championship and the 1998 Senior United States Open during his tenure. A full-time member of the PGA, Galvan has remained active in the sport, shooting his low round of 63 at the La Quinta Mountain Course in April of 1995. |
|||||||||||||||
