GUELPH, Ont. (April 3, 2017) — The University of Guelph, Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Tim O’Connor as the new head coach of the Gryphon Golf team. O’Connor has previously been with the team as an assistant coach since 2015.

The decision to join the Gryphon family was an easy one for O’Connor.

“I am excited by this opportunity to lead university age golfers in becoming better golfers, better teammates and more importantly better people, and to continue the work of developing players who represent the University of Guelph at the highest level of Canadian university golf.”

“I acknowledge the hard work of my predecessor Brandon McLeod, who will continue to provide his brand of passionate leadership as an assistant coach.”

Since 2015, O’Connor has been the Mental Performance Coach at the ClubLink Academy at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. where he works with competitive juniors, amateurs, senior players and professional golfers. He has also been an assistant coach for the Gryphon golf program the last two seasons. Other coaching experience includes six years coaching and facilitating as a leader in the ManKind Project, coaching minor hockey in Guelph, and teaching Communications in the University of Guelph turfgrass diploma program in 2010 and 2011.

O’Connor’s experience as a low-handicap golfer will benefit the current student-athletes in their game. And on the mental side of the game, his extensive knowledge will be where he looks to have the biggest impact.

“We’re thrilled to welcome O’Connor into our Gryphon family, he brings a passion for providing athletes with a well-balanced approach to the sport of golf,” said Intercollegiate Manager, Angela Orton. “He brings an unparalleled work ethic, love for the sport and experience that will help our golfers on the course.”

He is a keen student of performance, mindfulness and self-actualization. As an accomplished golf journalist he has spent over 30 years researching, writing about and studying all aspects of the game, including instruction and the psychology of golf. O’Connor has written four golf books (including The Feeling of Greatness: The Moe Norman Story) and won five journalist awards for his work. On top of all this he has been doing a podcast called Swing Thoughts on the performance side of golf since 2015.

O’Connor is an alumnus of the University of Western Ontario with a degree in Canadian Politics (1981). He will begin his duties with the team immediately.