Eastern Michigan University Men's Golf

Cunningham has become accustomed to the NCAA experience. The 22-year mentor has either placed a team or an individual in the last six of the last 10 NCAA Tournaments. In 2010, Cunningham guided the Eagles to the 11th seed in the NCAA Northwest Regional. The team selection was the fourth NCAA berth in program history and the first as an at-large. In 2009, Christopher Ross earned an at-large bid to the NCAA South Central Regional Championships in Stillwater, Okla. In 2008, the Eagles placed 14th at the NCAA Central Regional after a 15th-place showing at the 2007 NCAA East Regional, which was EMUs first team appearance in more than 60 years. Additionally, former EMU great Korey Mahoney qualified as an individual in both the 2005 and 2006 championships. Cunningham guided the Green and White to its second consecutive MAC Championship in 2008. Trailing by one shot heading into the final threesome of the three-day, 72-hole tournament, the Eagles Peter Sauerbrei completed his round with a par on the par four 18th. His Kent State opponent, David Ludlow, then missed a bogey putt and had to settle for a six to give Eastern Michigan the one-stroke victory, 1,171-1,172. In 2007, Cunningham guided the Eagles to their first Mid-American Conference Championship. Heading into the championships final 18 holes, Akron held a five-stroke lead over EMU. However, that all changed as the Eagles finished the final round at one-over par 289, while UA carded a nine-over 297. For the tournament, the Green and White fired a 1,138 (285-290-274-289) to equal the school record for the best 72-hole tournament total. For his efforts, Cunningham was selected the Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008. He is just the second EMU coach to capture the honor and the first since EMU Hall of Famer Jim Nelson did so during the 1980 season. At Eastern Michigan Cunningham has mentored some of the best golfers in EMU history, including Jordan Young, Ed Maunder, Brent Goulding, Rob Couture, Jaysen Hansen and Jeff Mankiewicz, Brad Pemberton, and Graham Hill as well as Mahoney. In addition to his duties as head coach, he was also the Head PGA Golf Professional at Eagle Crest Golf Club. He has served on the Mid-American Conference Golf Coaches Advisory Council since 2001. Cunningham was  also a member of the NCAA District IV Golf Committee. He previously was the Chairman of the NCAA District IV Ethics Committee from 1997-2001. The 50-year-old Cunningham came to EMU near the end of the 1994 spring season after serving as an assistant golf professional at Oakland Hills Country Club for five years. He is a Class-A PGA Golf Professional. While at Oakland Hills Cunningham served as one of the teaching pros, responsible for giving lessons and clinics. He also assisted in the running of the 1991 U.S. Senior Open Championship. Also from 1989-93 Cunningham was the senior tournament director for the Junior Ping Tour presented by ESPN and Golfweek. Prior to his five years at Oakland Hills, Cunningham was an assistant golf pro at Palm Aire Country Club for the winter seasons from 1987-89. He was the assistant pro at Marion (Ohio) Country Club from 1986-88. A 1985 graduate of Wittenberg University, Cunningham was a two-time Most Valuable Player on the golf team and played in four national championships. He was also captain of the squad. Cunningham is a native of Ashland, Ohio and attended Ashland High School where he was a three-time all-conference golfer, earning Most Valuable Golfer honors as well as serving as captain of the squad. He also played on the basketball team, and earned third-team all-league honors in that sport. Cunningham and his wife, Marci, have two children, Allegra and Hagen. Full Name:   Bruce Lee Cunningham, II High School:   Ashland (Ohio), 1981 College:    Wittenberg University - 1985; bachelors in business administration 2013-14    Eastern Michigan University    Head Mens Golf Coach    4th - 1,177 (9 teams) 2012-13    Eastern Michigan University    Head Mens Golf Coach    6th - 1,226 (9 teams)    2011-12 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 2nd - 895 (9 teams) Brian Churchill-Smith named All-MAC Second Team 2010-11 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 3rd - 1,198 (9 teams) Brian Churchill-Smith named MAC Freshman of the Year 2009-10 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 2nd - 1,172 (9 teams) First at-large team bid to the NCAA Northwest Regional 2008-09 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 2nd - 1,155 (9 teams) Chris Ross earned at-large bid to NCAA South Central Regional 2007-08 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 1st - 1,1,71 (9 teams) Automatic qualifier to the NCAA Central Regional 2006-07 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 1st - 1,138 (9 teams) First MAC title in school history; Graham Hill claims medalist honors 2005-06 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 3rd - 1,167 (9 teams) Korey Mahoney earns at large bid to the NCAA Central Regional 2004-05 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 2nd - 1,138 (10 teams) First runner-up finish since the 1981 MAC Championships 2003-04 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 9th - 916 (10 teams) 2002-03 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 5th - 1,212 (10 teams) Brad Pemberton ties for 10th at the MACs with a-02 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 7th - 1,208 (10 teams) 2000-01 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 4th - 1,200 (10 teams) Brad Pemberton and Jeff Mankiewicz place in top 10 at MACs 1999-00 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 5th - 1,174 (10 teams) Jeff Mankiewicz finished 10th at the MAC Championships 1998-99 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 5th - 1,487 (10 teams) Ed Maunder tied for third at the MAC Championships with a-98 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 5th - 1,532 (10 teams) Rob Couture finished 10th at the MAC Championships with a-97 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 5th - 1,185 (8 teams) 1995-96 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 4th - 1,134 (8 teams) James Maher tied for third at the MAC Championships with a-95 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 7th - 1,568 (8 teams) 1993-94 Eastern Michigan University Head Mens Golf Coach 7th - 1,568 (8 teams) Joined the EMU program on April 25, 1994 1989-94 Oakland Hills Country Club Assistant Golf Professional/Senior Tournament Director Named to Americas 100 Best Golf Shops in 1989, 1990 and 1993 1987-89 Palm Aire Country Club (Fla.) Assistant Golf Professional - Winter Seasons 1986-88 Marion (Ohio) Country Club Assistant Golf Professional 1981-85 Wittenberg University Student-Athlete  Played in four NCAA Division III National Championships THE BRUCE CUNNINGHAM FILE