CARROLLTON, Ga. - The University of West Georgia has their next leader of the UWG Men's Golf program, as Director of Athletics Jason Carmichael announced Shannon Lipham as the Head Men's Golf Coach on Monday.
Lipham comes to Carrollton after the last three years at the helm of the LaGrange College program. The reigning College Conference of the South Coach of the Year, Lipham has over two decades of experience in the golf industry.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Lipham to the University of West Georgia. During the process of finding our next Head Coach of our Men's Golf program, Coach Lipham shared his vision for how to advance competitive excellence at UWG," said Carmichael. "I am personally looking forward to witnessing his strategic vision for Men's Golf unfold over the coming years."
In 2023-24, Lipham led the Panthers to a fourth-place finish at the CCS Championships and saw the Panthers' Ian Bramlett win Conference Rookie of the Year Honors and Jeremy Edmunds named First Team All-Conference.
"I want to thank Athletic Director Jason Carmichael for this incredible opportunity," said Lipham. "It's an exciting time to be a part of the
transition to NCAA Division I here at UWG. I am truly honored to be the one to lead the Men's Golf program to new heights. We will work extremely hard to put a product out on the course and in the classroom that everyone in this community will be proud of."
Before his most recent stint at LaGrange, Lipham was the Director of Golf at Point University, where he was the Skyhawks' assistant coach and general manager of Point University Golf Club.
While at Point in 2020-21, the Skyhawks finished the season ranked atop the NAIA Coaches Poll and finished fourth at the NAIA National Championships after sealing their fourth Appalachian Athletic Conference crown. That Point team produced a quartet of All-Americans and set school records in total wins and stroke average.
Lipham also has experience as a teaching professional. From 2011-18, he was the Director of Instruction at Callaway Gardens and has had coaching stints at Berry and Georgia Southwestern.
A native of LaGrange, Shannon is married to Jennifer Lipham.
As a collegiate player, Lipham earned four letters at Jacksonville State, earning his bachelor's degree in communications in 2000. He was part of three team tournament wins as a Gamecock and named to three All-Tournament squads.
What They are Saying
"The thing that is going to be great about Shannon is that he is a local guy, he understands Georgia golf, and he's also had really good experience recruiting international players. He's been in the golf business for a long time, and honestly, he's one of the most passionate people I've ever met when it comes to collegiate athletics. He's going to give his all for that job and make the UWG community proud."
- Steven Paine, Head Men's Golf Coach, Augusta University
"With Shannon's experience and coaching the caliber of players he has within the state of Georgia and the teams he's put together in the past, he's the perfect guy to take UWG Men's Golf to new heights in this Division I era. I look forward to following his success and the team's success in the future."
- Jason Payne, Head Men's Golf Coach, Mercer University
"Shannon is like a brother to me. I am so happy for him and for UWG. You all have got a coach that will be all-in in everything he does, and he will be one of your biggest fans of all sports. This guy walks the walk. There are big things coming for UWG Men's Golf under his leadership."
- Brian Farrer, Head Men's Golf Coach, Berry College
