Oswalt Steps Down as UA Assistant Golf Coach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Grant Oswalt has resigned his position as an assistant coach with the University of Arkansas men’s golf program, head coach Mike Ketcham announced on Tuesday.

“I’ve taken a position with a pharmaceutical company and will be moving to Iowa City, Iowa,” Oswalt says. “My family is from Iowa, and my wife and I decided it was time to relocate closer to our extended family.”

Oswalt recently completed his third season with the Razorback golf program. In Oswalt’s tenure, the Razorbacks earned NCAA regional berths twice (2004 and 2005) and a spot in the NCAA Championships (2005) once. He also served as an assistant coach under Ketcham at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College where the duo led the school to two National Junior College Athletic Association titles (1993-94).

“My time here at the University of Arkansas has been fantastic,” he says. “Coach Ketcham has taken the team from 121st in the country to being a consistent top 30 team with a peak at ninth, and we’ve broken two school records. He has made it to the NCAA regionals three times and the NCAAs twice, and finished 26th last year. Our schedule was ranked 15th and we had two top 10 recruiting classes. It is a great time for the Razorback golf program.

“I was fortunate to come in when the Fred W. and Mary B. Smith Razorback Golf Center opened up, which in my opinion, is the best practice facility in the country. We are also able to play Mr. John Tyson’s golf course, the Blessings. Both have been instrumental in our ability to recruit and efficiently use our practice time.”

Prior to joining the Arkansas program in 2003, the Ottumwa, Iowa, native spent four years as the district manager for USBank.

Oswalt was a Division I golfer at Drake University. In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Oswalt spent time as a competitor on several mini-tours and as a teaching professional at the Iowa Professional Golf Association (IPGA).

“I appreciate the contributions Grant made to the Razorback golf program in his tenure,” Ketcham says. “He played a vital role in our program in the last three years and our program is better because of him. I wish him and his family the very best in their future endeavors.”

“Coach (Frank) Broyles, the administration and the surrounding Northwest Arkansas community have provided incredible support both to the golf program and to my family, and I know that with Mike’s leadership, experience and vision, Razorback golf is on its way to becoming a consistent national powerhouse,” Oswalt says. “Razorback fans are incredible. I noticed it immediately and am still amazed by the support. It is like no other place I have ever been and I will forever be a ‘Hog’ fan.”

Ketcham said a search for a replacement will begin immediately, although, he did not specify a target date for filling the position.

“My first priority is to continue to recruit the best golfers in the country,” Ketcham says. “It will be a busy summer with hiring a new coach and recruiting, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited about the future of the Razorback golf program.”