Trio Set for 2018 GCAA Hall of Fame Inductions

NORMAN, Okla. – The GCAA will induct three coaches - Walter Bourne of Princeton, Mike Hagen of Arkansas State and Indian Hills, and John Reis, retired coach at Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati and long-time USGA Rules official, in its 2018 Hall of Fame Class. The trio will be officially inducted at the GCAA Hall of Fame Reception and Awards Banquet Monday, Dec. 3 in Las Vegas.

One of the pioneering college golf coaches and the first coach at Princeton, Bourne directed the Tiger golf program from 1928-42. Princeton captured five NCAA titles in 1928-30, ‘37, and 40 and Eastern Intercollegiate Golf Association Championships in 1928, ‘30, ‘38-39. His teams posted a 124-24-1 dual record.

Hagen is in his fourth season at Arkansas State. During his four years at the helm of the program, the Red Wolves have won 12 tournament championships, including a school-record six in 2016 that were also the second most in the nation that season. He was Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year in 2016. Hagen came to Arkansas State after 10 seasons at Indian Hills Community College, where he also served as athletics director. Hagen led the Warriors to four NJCAA National Championships over a five-year span from 2011-15. He also led Indian Hills to eight District III Championships and 59 tournament wins. Hagen was a three-time recipient of the NJCAA Division I Dave Williams National Coach of the Year Award and was inducted in the NJCAA Golf Hall of Fame in 2014. Warrior golfers earned 12 PING All-America selections, five All-Freshmen nods, and two Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Awards during his tenure. Hagen has also been active serving on multiple committees for the GCAA and NJCAA.

Reis began his coaching career at Northern Kentucky, where he spent 1993-96. The Norse twice qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships during his tenure. In the fall of 1996 Reis took the coaching reins at Cincinnati for five seasons. The latter three seasons he concurrently served as Bearcats women’s coach. During this time Reis also became involved with the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association, serving on its board of directors from 1994-2003 and as executive director 2003-14. Also a highly regarded Rules of Golf official, Reis has officiated at 49 USGA Championships, 42 NCAA National Championships, and numerous NCAA Regional and conference championships, as well as regular season events. Additionally, he has refereed eight Arnold Palmer Cups and currently serves as Rules Co-Chair when the matches are conducted in the United States.