| Bill Rogers |
SAN ANTONIO ? UTSA men’s golf coach John Knauer and women’s golf coach Carrie Cole announced the hiring of Bill Rogers as assistant coach for both programs on Tuesday.
Rogers brings more than 30 years of experience to UTSA and is a former Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour member who began his career in 1974.
“What a great day it is in UTSA golf history to have Bill Rogers join our staff,” said Knauer, who is in his first season. “He wlll be an unbelievable asset on and off the course and his knowledge and depth of the game is unmatched. Simply relaying to the players what it takes to get to the next level is better than any coaching that can be done on the course and I am looking forward to him elevating my coaching level, as well.”
"I am extremely excited for someone with Bill's background to become involved with the women's golf team,” said Cole, who also is in her first year. “There are not many teams in the country that have a person with his resume on their staff. Not only does he have a wealth of knowledge and expertise from the playing side, but he is one of the most genuinely kind people I have ever met. He will be a excellent leader and mentor for each player on my team and both programs are extremely fortunate to have him on board."
Rogers collected several PGA and international victories during his career, including The 1981 British Open. His first pro win came at the 1977 Pacific Masters and he then won his first PGA event one year later at The Bob Hope Desert Classic. The following year, he won the World Match Play and Suntory Classic.
Rogers put together one of his best seasons in 1981 with seven tournaments triumphs, including The British Open, Heritage Classic, Texas Open and Australian Open. He also collected one of golf’s most notable trophies that same year, the PGA Player of the Year. Rogers capped off the season as a member of the 1981 Ryder Cup Team. Ten years later, he returned to the Ryder Cup Team as an assistant coach.
Prior to his professional career, Rogers was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Houston, where he earned first-team All-America honors in 1973. He later was inducted into the Houston Cougars Hall of Fame in 1987.
Rogers was a board member of Golf San Antonio and the Director of Golf at the San Antonio Country Club from 1990-2000. He also brought the American Junior Golf Association to San Antonio and played a key role in the development of the Briggs Ranch Golf Club. Rogers was inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 1995 and San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.