Men's Golf, Sports

Poutre has sunny outlook on 49er men’s golf future

Men’s golf coach Bill Poutre jumped at the chance to bring his coaching style to the West Coast.

Poutre said he couldn’t wait to coach in a region with “the best weather in the country, a great talent pool and an athletic director [Vic Cegles] that was very enthusiastic about the program.”

“Bill Poutre brings collegiate head coaching experience, a commitment to student-athletes and graduation, and an understanding of what it takes to be a top-20 program,” Cegles said.

Cegles’ excitement and drive helped lure Poutre to The Beach. At Arizona State University, Cegles was the A.D. when the Sun Devils won a national championship in golf with the help of the world-renowned Phil Mickelson.

“He has a feel for what it’s like to be around a golf program and the power that the golf program can have on an athletic department when it can be that good,” Poutre said. “His excitement really, kind of sealed the deal for me.”

Poutre is also a family-driven man who wanted his wife and children to experience life in Southern California. “I’ve got a 10-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old boy. To give them the opportunity to come out and experience California [means a lot],” he said.

Poutre coached at the University of Hartford for four seasons prior to joining the 49ers. He led the Hawks to a stellar showing in his tenure, as they moved up in the national rankings almost 120 spots.

During that time, Poutre developed a distinct reputation as a master recruiter. That recruiting skill has followed Poutre to LBSU. He has managed to sign three of the top-16 players in California.

“We’re the only program in the state that signed three players in the top-16, or in the top-20 for that matter,” Poutre said.

Poutre has made quite an impression in his first season in Long Beach. The team improved in the rankings each week during the fall season and are currently ranked 117th in the nation, according to Golfweek.

“We’re up 46 spots, which is a pretty nice move,” Poutre said.

Poutre has national championship aspirations for the team and believes that it is a possibility in the future.

“You build for the opportunity to be able to play in the national championship,” he said. “It might take us a couple of years before we get there but I expect our team to continue their progression.”

Poutre’s short-term goals for the team include ending the second half of the season in the top-100. He added that Long Beach can be a top-50 program in golf, year in and year out.

“I’m never going to say we’re happy,” he said. “When I start saying we’re happy where we are, you know, we’re going to plateau.”

The first-year coach was very thankful for the support shown by the community.

“We appreciate the opportunity that we have in getting to the next level,” Poutre said. “And we’ll get there, we’ll get there.”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Daily 49er newsletter

Instagram