Ross Randall, a 30-year fixture at KU, Retires
June 30, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Ross Randall, who has served KU’s golf program for the past 30 years, has announced his retirement, effective today (June 30, 2009). Randall was Kansas’ head men’s golf coach for 28 years, and in May 2007 became KU’s Director of Golf Operations, focusing on fundraising for a new indoor hitting facility. That facility was completed in the fall of 2008.
“Ross did a terrific job for Kansas Athletics and the University of Kansas,” KU Athletics Director Lew Perkins said. “He dedicated his professional life to helping young men become better golfers and better people, and we are grateful for his service.”
An institution at KU for three decades, Randall guided seven teams to the NCAA Championships and 19 to NCAA Regionals. His 1989 squad was the first KU team to reach the NCAA Finals in 32 years, and his 1996 team advanced to the final two rounds of the NCAA Championships, the second-best finish in Kansas history.
“It’s hard to believe I’ve been doing this for 30 years,” Randall said. “I want to thank Lew Perkins and KU for a great run. I’ve loved every moment of it. My best memories are with my players and watching how they’ve matured over the years.”
Randall coached five All-Americans during his tenure with the Jayhawks, including three two-time All-American selections: Chris Thompson, Ryan Vermeer and Chris Marshall. He also helped develop 27 all-conference selections including 2007 graduate Gary Woodland, who is competing on the PGA Tour and who played so well in this year’s United States Open.
In 1999 he took the fifth-seeded Jayhawks into the Big 12 Conference Tournament and captured the program’s first league title in 49 years. For his efforts that season, Randall was named the Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year.
An accomplished golfer himself, Randall was twice named the Iowa PGA Player of the Year and won a PGA Senior Winter Series Event at the PGA Reserve in Florida in 1997. Randall also currently serves as a PGA professional at Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence and has hosted the Jayhawk Golf Camp each summer since 1980.
