Ave Maria University Men's Golf

Patrick Sams is in his third season as Ave Maria's men's golf coach. He was hired by the University to take over the golf program in October of 2023. In Sams' first season at the head of the program, the Gyrenes were nationally ranked for the first time in school history, and earned a bid to the NAIA National Championships. Under his direction, two players - Gabriel DeCasas and Ty Kaufman - were honored as All-Sun Conference players. Two more players were honored as All-Conference in 2025, with Alex Veneziano appearing for the first time, and Ty Kaufman becoming the first two-time selection in school history. Sams is currently the head golf professional at the Timber Trails Golf Course within Lake Naomi Club, located in the pristine Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. He has previously served as the head golf professional at The Oaks Club in Sarasota and Richmond County Country Club in Staten Island, New York, and has served as an assistant golf pro at the Concession Golf Club in Sarasota, and South Fork Country Club in The Hamptons. Originally from Venice, Florida, Sams is a class A member of PGA of America and was voted PGA Merchandiser of the Year in 2006 while at The Oaks Club. Sams is currently pursuing his certification through the PGA's specialized programs in executive management & golf operations As a player, Sams earned a college golf scholarship and played NCAA Division 1 college golf, and advanced to a U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier. He still holds the course record at Richmond County Country Club, shooting a round of 63.

Kate O'Sullivan is in her third season with the Ave Maria University golf program, and her second as the head coach of the women's team. Kate was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. She began playing golf at age 11 and which eventually led to competing for the Scottish National Girls Team while in high school. In 2003 she was offered a full golf scholarship to play at High Point University in North Carolina. After playing for four years for the Panthers, Kate graduated in 2007 with a B.A. in Physical Education teaching (K-12). During her time at High Point, she was four-year captain and a three-time All-Conference selection. After college, she caught on as an assistant golf professional and became the first female professional at The Royal Dublin Club in Ireland. After a teaching stint in England, Kate decided to return to her passion in golf and received an offer to return to the states at South Fork Country Club in Long Island, New York as an assistant professional. Today, she spends her summers as the head teaching professional at Lake Naomi Club in Pennsylvania. 

AJ Cherubini is in his second season as an assistant coach with the Ave Maria University golf program.  Cherubini came to Ave Maria in 2021 after two seasons at Wittenburg University, an NCAA Division III program in Ohio. In three seasons as a Gyrene, Cherubini saw time on the course in numerous tournaments as a Gyrene, and posted a 77.6 scoring average as a senior. He was part of Ave Maria's NAIA Championships qualifying team in his final season. Cherubini graduated from Ave Maria in 2023 with a degree in business administration, and remained at Ave Maria following his graduation to pursue his Master's in Business Administration, as well as utilize his final season of collegiate eligibility.