May 23, 2011
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech assistant golf coach Christian Newton has been named the recipient of the 2011 Jan Strickland Award presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf as selected by the Golf Coaches Association of America, the organization announced Monday.
The Strickland Award is presented to the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA or NJCAA assistant coach that, among other things, has excelled in working with their student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom.
“I’m very excited to receive this honor,” said Newton. “There were many deserving candidates and I’m proud to be among the great former recipients. I feel very lucky to work for Georgia Tech and Coach (Bruce) Heppler as they have provided me the opportunity and resources to grow as a coach.”
Newton, a finalist for this award three times, has helped lead Georgia Tech to three team championships while two Yellow Jackets – Paul Haley and James White – have claimed medalist honors this season. He joined the Georgia Tech golf program prior to the 2007 season. Newton’s primary duties with the program include coordination of the recruitment process, organizing team travel, serving as director of Georgia Tech’s annual golf camp, managing the team’s booster club and fundraising. During his years at Georgia Tech, Newton has helped oversee the development of six All-America selections, nine All-ACC selections and three teams that have claimed the ACC Championship. He also implemented new concepts and drills into Georgia Tech’s practice sessions that have helped the squad become one of the highest ranked teams (No, 2 currently) in college golf this season.
“I am extremely pleased that our coaching peers have recognized Christian’s talents and contributions to our program,” said Heppler. “He has had a tremendous impact on our recruiting and team performance. He spends a great deal of time in self-development and learning so that he can bring new ideas to our program. He is very deserving of this award.”
The other finalists were Steve Bradley of Florida, Southern California’s Josh Brewer, Shane Warren of LSU and Michigan’s Chris Whitten.
As the winner of the Strickland Award, Newton now has the opportunity to further his professional development by receiving an invitation to the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Kingdom in Carlsbad, Calif.
