ANNAPOLIS, Md. — After more than three decades of service with the Naval Academy Golf Club, including the last 33-plus years as the head pro, Pat Owen has announced his plans to retire effective June 1.
Owen joined the Naval Academy on Jan. 1, 1988 as an assistant coach with the men's golf team before taking over both head coaching duties and oversight of the Naval Academy Golf Club in April of 1991. Though he retired from coaching in the summer of 2022, he has continued to serve the membership of the Naval Academy Golf Association (NAGA) and assumed the role of Director of Men's and Women's Golf.
"I believe confidence, trust, competence and kindness best describe everyone's friend in Pat Owen," said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "He has never fallen short on any front as one of the most personable and professional associates I have had the privilege to work with. His influence as a coach, mentor, educator, competitor, friend and leader has affected the lives of hundreds over his almost four decades of work with NAGA. Peers embrace every dimension of his wonderful personality and his contagious smile has always conveyed a sincere intention to accommodate whatever the need may be. Our most heartfelt gratitude to a loyal and dedicated legend who is the benchmark for everything that exemplifies the absolute best within the sport of golf."
"Pat Owen has been a great friend to the members and staff of the club for over 30 years," said Michael Cumberpatch, on behalf of the NAGA membership. "He has served the membership at the Naval Academy with the highest level of professionalism. Whether in his role as Navy golf coach or Director of Golf, he has made everyone who has played golf at Navy, members and guests, feel welcome and a part of the USNA family. He greets everyone with a smile and warm welcome, and, no matter how you play, he always has a word of encouragement. Pat will always have a place in our hearts."
"It has been my privilege and honor to be associated with the Naval Academy golf community since 1988," said Owen. "Over the years, I have forged relationships with countless people who have helped guide me along the way. I am particularly grateful to Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk who established new standards in terms of our golf programs and our NAGA facilities, always providing unwavering support. I am also grateful to the hundreds of Div. I student-athletes and their families who have experienced much success by emphasizing team over self. I am confident that our two varsity golf teams will continue to excel in the future. Our NAGA membership is as good as it gets, and I will cherish their friendship and incredible support throughout the years. Each one has touched my life in a meaningful way. The future is bright, and I look forward to seeing our outstanding staff continue to provide an excellent golf experience to everyone that comes in contact with our organization."
In addition to his work with NAGA, Owen served as Navy's men's golf head coach for 32 seasons before stepping away from coaching in the summer of 2022. At the time of his retirement, he was the most senior coach among Navy's 35 (now 36) varsity programs. Owen garnered Patriot League Coach-of-the-Year honors nine times (1993, '95, '97, '98, '04, '08, '09, '12 and '18), including in the spring of 2018 when he guided the Midshipmen to their seventh Patriot League Tournament title since 1998. In addition to his Patriot League laurels, he earned NCAA District II Coach-of-the-Year recognition in 1996.
Owen led the Midshipmen to seven NCAA Regional appearances, including their 2018 NCAA Championship berth at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club in Norman, Okla. In the spring of 1998, he guided the Mids to a fifth-place finish at the Eastern Championship and their first NCAA Regional appearance. Anchored by one of the most successful golfers in the program's history in All-American Aaron Wright, Navy finished 19th at the East Regional held at Melrose Golf Course in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Just three years after Wright's graduation from the Academy, Owen landed a recruit who would go on to be one of the top young amateur players in the country and lead the Mids to a pair of NCAA Regional appearances. Billy Hurley, a member of the 2005 Walker Cup team, came to the Academy during the 2000-01 academic year and quickly made a name for himself. But it wasn't until the summer of 2003 that he gained national attention, where he battled to the No. 2 seed in the U.S. Amateur. A four-time All-Patriot League selection and the 2004 Patriot League MVP, Hurley became the first golfer to receive the Academy's Thompson Trophy Cup, presented to that midshipman who has done the most during the year to promote athletics at the Naval Academy. The recipient of the 2004 Byron Nelson Award, he was one of the first two players to be named to the 2004 Palmer Cup and became the first player to represent a service academy in the annual Ryder Cup-style competition. In addition, he was voted to serve as captain by his peers. Hurley was named an Academic All-American, in addition to being named the Patriot League Male Scholar-Athlete of the year following his senior campaign. Hurley earned his tour card for the 2012 PGA Tour by finishing 25th on the 2011 Nationwide Tour money list. He won his first PGA Tournament on June 26, 2016, at the Quicken Loans National in Bethesda, Md.
"Few people, outside of my family, have been more influential in my life than Pat Owen," Hurley said. "His dedication to the Naval Academy, the Naval Academy golf teams and the Naval Academy Golf Course for over 35 years is unparalleled. But what really sets him apart is the love he shows for the people around him. Pat made everyone better and we are all blessed to know him. I could not have asked for a better coach, mentor and friend not only during my four years at the Naval Academy, but through the ups and downs of life as well. Pat was much more than a golf pro. His contribution to Navy golf cannot be overstated."
Eight Navy players have won the Patriot League individual crown since 1997, including Charlie Musto ('21) who paced the field with his 2-under par, 214 at the Saucon Valley Golf Club in the Lehigh Valley in 2018.
Additionally, Navy had five players earn Patriot League Rookie-of-the-Year accolades under his tutelage. Charlie Musto ('21) is just the second golfer overall and first from Navy to earn Patriot League Player and Rookie of the Year in the same season when he claimed the 2018 crown by six strokes. David Hall ('14) put together a near flawless performance at the 2011 championship which earned him a second-place finish and Patriot League Rookie of the Year recognition.
Forty-three players accounted for 69 All-Patriot League citations during his 32 years, including Wright (1994, '95, '96, '97) and Hurley (2001, '02, '03, '04) who are Navy's only two four-time All-Patriot League honorees.
Owen closed out his coaching career by winning his final Star Match against service academy rival Army in September of 2021. Nicholas Klock sank a four-foot putt for par on the first playoff hole to lead the Midshipmen to a sudden death victory over the Black Knights at the Naval Academy Golf Club in Annapolis. It marked Owen's 15th-career Star in the annual series.
In 2009, Owen was named the winner of the Labron Harris Sr. Award presented by E-Z-GO in cooperation with The PGA of America and the Golf Coaches Association of America. The Harris Award is presented to the college or high school coach and PGA Professional whose support of the game through teaching, coaching and involvement in the community has helped ensure the continued growth of the game and who represents the finest qualities the game has to offer.
In February of 2010, Owen was invited to appear before the Maryland General Assembly where he was presented proclamations from then-Speaker of the House of Delegates Mike Busch along with Retired Marine Corps Colonel Senator John Astle, lauding him for his efforts in earning the national award and serving as both a teacher and role model to the thousands of midshipmen who pass through the Academy.
Prior to being named head coach at Navy in 1991, Owen served as an assistant coach for the Midshipmen for three years.
Owen is a 1981 graduate of Johns Hopkins, where he served as captain of the golf team his senior year. After turning pro, Owen earned national recognition with the highest score on the PGA of America's Business School exam. Lifelong members of the community, Owen and his wife, Karen, are the parents of a son, Patrick, and daughter, Noelle.
### Go Navy ###
