Fayette, Mo. – Central Methodist University head men's and women's golf coach Jim Ray Kluck, announced his retirement from coaching on Thursday morning. Kluck will remain at CMU in the 2017-18 school year as an Admissions Counselor, before retiring for good from work.
"Jim (Ray Kluck) has been a great member of our Eagle Athletic Family," said CMU Vice President of Institutional Growth and Student Engagement Ken Oliver. "Jim is not only an outstanding colleague, but he is also a good friend and an even better person. His 2013 men's golf team will be remembered as one of the best golf teams in CMU history."
Coach Kluck had a hand in the re-birth of the golf program in 2008, when Central Methodist actively began recruiting student-athletes. In 2009, Central Methodist fielded their first men's and women's golf teams and competed in the Heart of America Athletic Conference since 2003. During 2004-08, Central did not sponsor a golf program. By far, CMU's best season was in 2013, when the men's team won the Heart of America Athletic Conference and qualified for Nationals, while the women finished in third place in the conference. Year in and year out, the golf team would have numerous athletes named as Scholar-Athletes and Academic All-Americans. As of late, the golf programs have had their struggles, with both teams finishing towards the bottom of the conference in the spring of 2016.
"Jim (Ray Kluck) has done a good job as the Head Golf Coach," said CMU Athletics Director Brian Spielbauer. "His teams have experienced success, and his students have done well in the classroom. He has spent many years in the service of Central Methodist University, and we wish him the best as he finishes out a good career at CMU."
The Central Methodist men's and women's golf teams open their 2016-17 seasons on September 19th and 20th, for the annual CMU Fall Eagle Open. First and second round play will begin at 9am each day at the Hail Ridge Golf Course in Boonville.
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