Coach Kent Beatty enters his eighth year at the helm of the Mustang golf program with great expectations as both the men and women's teams ended their seasons last year highly competitive teams. With a solid group of returners and an impressive group of fresh faces, Beatty expects the Mustangs and Lady 'Stangs to again finish high among the nation's elite Division II golf teams.
      After seven years of experience in the college ranks, the 47-year-old Beatty has already established himself as one of the top mentors in Division II. As 2001 West Region Coach of the year, Beatty's Lady 'Stangs finished third in the NCAA Championship that year, fourth in 2000 and 2002 and tied for fifth-place in 1999. The Men's team is also successful, improving impressively every season. Despite playing in Division II's brutally tough West Region, WNMU has been represented the post season in four of the last seven years.

     A class "A" member of the PGA of America, Coach Beatty came to WNMU after a 10-year stint as a golf professional, and Golf Coach at Ruidoso High School -- a perennial power in New Mexico High School golf. While with the Warriors, Beatty's teams finished first two times, second once and third two additional times in the New Mexico State High School State Championship. In addition, the Warriors have suited up two individual state champs and six other top-five finishers in State competition. Beyond their high school years, Coach Beatty's players have competed at all levels of college competition, and five have continued their golf to join the PGA of America after college.

   "I'm really glad to have the opportunity to coach at Western New Mexico," says Beatty.  "I believe our schedule, school support and excellent weather give us a great opportunity to excel nationally. We're fortunate to have so much going for us here at this university. WNMU is a great place to go to school and play golf, and we are proving that with the success of both teams."