Cheves spent last season as an assistant at WCU
Cullowhee, N.C. ? Western Carolina Director of Athletics Chip Smith this week announced the promotion of Carter Cheves to the position of head men’s golf coach. Cheves spent last season as an assistant coach with the WCU men’s program. He will officially begin duties on July 15.
Cheves takes over for former head coach Gorham Bradley, whom he aided through the 2009-10 season, as Bradley assumed a full-time role within the Catamount Club. He becomes just the third head coach since 1991, joining the likes of Bradley and WCU Hall of Famer, Johnny Wike.
“While working as the assistant men’s golf coach at Western Carolina over the past year, Carter Cheves has shown a genuine interest and concern for the success of every student-athlete which made him a strong choice for our next head men’s golf coach,” said Associate Athletic Director, Dr. Jennifer Brown who chaired the department’s search committee. “Carter is an outstanding person with integrity, character and possesses tremendous potential. He played a large role in day-to-day operations of the program as an assistant and played a large role in recruiting the 2010-11 incoming class which is among the best in school history.”
Brown added, “Carter’s strong commitment to academic and athletic excellence, as well as his work ethic, confidence, and passion for the game of golf contributed to the decision of him to be the next coach to lead our men’s golf program.”
Cheves came to Cullowhee as an assistant coach prior to the 2009-10 season where he worked side-by-side with Bradley, helping with daily practice plans and coordinating many aspects within the program such as team travel. He is a 2008 a graduate of UNC Wilmington where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Operations in 2008.
Prior to attending UNCW, the Apex, N.C. native played two years of college golf at North Carolina State University under veteran Wolfpack head coach Richard Sykes, a member of the Coaches Association Hall of Fame. While at N.C. State, he was named a Caterpillar Scholar-Athlete.
Following his graduation from UNCW, Cheves served as the United States Golf Association (USGA) P.J. Boatwright summer intern for the Carolinas Golf Association. His long list of responsibilities included tournament coordination, rules and course set-up.
"I am very grateful for the opportunity to stay at Western Carolina University and continue with the men's golf program,” said Cheves. “I look forward to working with our young men, helping them succeed both on and off the golf course."
Cheves had an accomplished prep playing career on the golf course. He helped Apex High to third place finishes at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 4-A state championship as both a junior and a senior. Cheves was a two-time all-Tri-7 Conference selection and a three-time Tri-7 Academic Scholar athlete.
Among his amateur playing accomplishments, Cheves was the 2002 Lake Hickory Junior champion, the 2004 Western North Carolina Junior champion and he was a three-time Mimosa Hills Country Club (Morganton, NC) junior club champion. His amateur career includes a made-cut and high finish at the 2005 North Carolina Amateur championship played at the CC of Asheville. He was a 2005 semifinalist at the Herald-Sun Amateur Championship in Durham, and he fired 67-73 at U.S. Amateur qualifying in 2003 to finish inside the Top 25.
Cheves comes from a golf family. His grandfather, the late Joe Cheves, was a PGA Life Member for 70 years and is a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame and the Carolinas PGA Hall of Fame. Joe Cheves finished first in the 1978 PGA Seniors Championship, but lost in the ensuing playoff. He also owns the world record for shooting the most strokes under someone's age. He shot 64 at age 81 and 70 at age 87 to go 17 shots under his age.
Western Carolina returns four members from last year’s squad which will be joined by the four-member incoming freshman class including Greg Bunner (Gastonia, N.C.), Michael Fitzgerald (Flossmoor, Ill.), Jack Walsh (Lawrenceville, Ga.) and Collin Witiak (Columbia, S.C.). The incoming class is among the best-ever in school history.