Lions name Mike Wheeler new head golf coach

Mike Wheeler has been named the new head men's golf coach at Missouri Southern, the MSSU Athletics Department announced today. 

“I am pleased and excited to be chosen as the new MSSU Head Golf Coach,” Wheeler said.  “Golf is an important part of my life and having an opportunity to offer myself to this program, at this level, is a privilege and responsibility that I do not take lightly. I will endeavor to earn the confidence and respect of the players, the college, and the community. I am grateful and honored to be Missouri Southern's golf coach.”

Wheeler is currently the President of the Board of Directors at Twin Hills Golf & Country Club and has served as a Director in the Joplin Golf Foundation for the past five years.  During his time with the Joplin Golf Foundation Wheeler has served as chairperson of the Joplin Junior Golf “Tee It Up” program which offers golf instruction to more than 200 junior golfers annually.  For the past three seasons, he has also served as an assistant coach with the Joplin High School Lady Eagles golf team.

Wheeler has in recent years been heavily involved in administering the rules of golf.  He has been a Director with the Missouri Golf Association for the past four years, working as a starter and rules official for the Missouri Junior Amateur and Missouri Junior Match Play events.  He has three years experience as a rules official at the Missouri State High School Boys' Golf Championships and is a three-time attendee of the USGA Rules of Golf workshop.

Wheeler replaces Kevin Greim, who served as head coach for the past six years.  The Lions, who finished second in this year's MIAA points standings behind national runners-up Central Missouri, return seven squad members for the upcoming season including five who saw college tournament action last year.