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Finalists Named for 2015 Jan Strickland Award presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf

NORMAN, Okla. – Brian Guetz of Oklahoma State, Florida’s John Handrigan and Rob Wakeling of Kent State have been named finalists for the 2015 Jan Strickland Award presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf as selected by the GCAA. The Strickland Award is presented to the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA or NJCAA assistant coach that, among other things, has excelled in working with their student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom.

Guetz is in his fourth season on the Cowboys’ coaching staff and was promoted to associate head coach in 2013. No stranger to the OSU program and the expectations that come with it, Guetz was a three-year letterwinner for the Cowboys from 1995-97 under former head coach Mike Holder. In 2013-14, Guetz helped direct OSU to five tournament titles, including its victory at the NCAA Columbia Regional. The Cowboys closed the campaign with the 17th NCAA runner-up finish in the program’s history. Individually, the Cowboys produced the 2014 Big 12 Player of the Year in Wyndham Clark and four Cowboys earned All-America honors. Guetz helped lead the golf team to the highest GPA of all sports at Oklahoma State. He also oversees the Cowboy Pro-Am.

Handrigan is in his fourth season as the assistant men’s golf coach at the University of Florida. The 2014-15 school year marks his first working alongside head coach JC Deacon after three campaigns assisting Buddy Alexander. Handrigan, who came to the Gators with 10 years of coaching experience at the Division I and II levels, has helped lead the Orange and Blue to four tournament victories during his tenure. He has responsiblities throughout the program including recruiting, teaching golf techniques including course management and golf psychology and organizing and directing golf camps. Handrigan was also a Strickland finalist in 2013.

Wakeling, a former standout at Kent State was hired as the Golden Flashes’ associate head coach for men’s and women’s golf in 2009. Since his return, the men’s golf program has captured five consecutive Mid-American Conference titles, but Kent State’s achievementx do not stop there. With Wakeling’s guidance, the Golden Flashes won a share of the 2010 NCAA East Regional and had top 20 finishes at the NCAA National Championship three consecutive seasons (2010-12). Wakeling has helped to mentor the Golden Flashes through a run that has seen them qualify for five of the last six national championships. In addition to his on the course teaching and instruction, Wakeling also monderates the team’s academic progress and oversees the national travel schedule.

The Strickland Award recipient will have the opportunity to further his professional development by receiving an invitation to the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Kingdom in Carlsbad, Calif.

TaylorMade-adidas Golf has sponsored the Strickland Award since its inception in 2003.