Western New Mexico University Men's Golf

Now entering his second season at the helm, Harry O’Callaghan continues to lead Western New Mexico University’s men’s and women’s golf programs with the same grit and excellence that defined his playing and assistant coaching career. A native of the United Kingdom, Coach O’Callaghan is deeply rooted in Mustang golf—having competed for four years as a student-athlete, followed by two years as a graduate assistant and one year as a full-time assistant coach. His first year as Head Coach in 2024 was nothing short of historic. Under his leadership, the Mustangs won two tournaments, shattered program scoring records, and captured the NCAA Regional title, earning a coveted spot in the NCAA Championship. The team also received the prestigious Elite 90 Award, recognizing the highest GPA among all championship teams—a reflection of the academic culture O’Callaghan continues to champion. As a player, “Coach OC” was a model of consistency and commitment, competing in all 42 tournaments during his collegiate career and posting a career scoring average of 74.82. His standout season came in the COVID-shortened 2019–20 campaign, where he averaged 73.44 and helped lead the Mustangs to victory at the LSC-RMAC Shootout with a T8 finish. Off the course, he was a three-time GCAA All-American Scholar and served three years in WNMU Student Government. O’Callaghan also played a pivotal role in the Mustangs’ success as an assistant coach, helping guide the team to NCAA Regional appearances in both 2023 and 2024, with multiple tournament wins and top-five finishes. “The golf program couldn’t be in more capable hands,” said longtime Head Coach Kent Beatty upon his retirement. “Harry was a gritty, never-give-up grinder, an excellent student, and more importantly, a great teammate. He will be a great leader and role model for future Mustangs. I’m happy to hand over the reins of the program. He has a great future in college golf.” With a strong foundation and a clear vision, Coach O’Callaghan is poised to lead Mustang golf into another successful season—on the course and in the classroom.    

Beatty and his golf teams to be near the top in crunch time. Following his 18th year at WNMU, the men's golf team again was near the best in the nation in 2014-15, ranked as high as 13 by Golfstat, the Mustangs claimed their second straight RMAC title and Beatty was selected as Coach of the Year. Junior Thomas Neve was named an All-American, while several of the Mustangs were ranked in the top-100 in the nation by Golfstat throughout the year including Harry Wetton, Calum Hill and Neve. The Lady Mustangs nearly matched the men at the RMAC Tournament, as they were near the top after both rounds to place third, as Mary Driscol and Bobbi Pierson earned All-RMAC Tournament accolades for their performances.  Coach Beatty turned in another stellar campaign during the 2013-14 season leading the men's team back to prominence with an RMAC Championship title, as senior David Metz captured medalist honors and the team advanced to the NCAA Championships. The team soared to the top seed in the South Central Region and was ranked in the top-10 in both the GCAA and Golfstat polls. Several golfers were given All-RMAC accolades, along with Academic honors. The RMAC recognized his achievement by being named RMAC Men's Golf Coach of the Year.   The year before he guided the women's team to a dominating 24-stroke victory at the RMAC Championships to win going away as junior Arrianna Estrada won the medalist honors. That same year the men advanced to Regionals. Named head coach in 1997, Beatty has learned many of the tricks it takes to lead a successful program, and it shows. Both his mens and womens teams are regular participants in the post season , an accomplishment which has been instrumental in giving WNMUs other athletic programs the confidence to succeed. The fact that Beattys position at WNMU is full-time is an indicator that WNMU is committed to its golf program. The majority of small-school college golf coaches are employed elsewhere or are instructors at their respective universities, and WNMUs commitment to golf and its athletes has paid great dividends over the past few years. In addition to coaching in 13 NCAA Championships (26 NCAA post season tournament appearances and eight conference championships in his 18 years at the school), Coach Beatty has mentored seven all-Americans, nine academic all-Americans and five PGA golf professionals. He, himself, was also named RMAC Women's Golf Coach of the Century in May 2009. Beattys teams at WNMU have continued to improve with each passing season. The quality recruits who commit to WNMU and Beattys no-nonsense approach to athletics and academics seems to be a popular one for newcomers stressing that great golf, solid classroom performance, and learning people skills will increase his players chances of success is the cornerstone of the Beatty philosophy. We are a small school in a small town, which some future student-athletes look as a weakness. I choose to look at as a strength. Its not all about golf at WNMU golf is the fun part. We want our athletes to travel, graduate, and be able to handle lifes problems head-on, through hard work and communication. If they can do that, then they will have a great four years here, says Beatty. A Class A member of the PGA of America, Coach Beatty started one of New Mexicos golf dynasties at Ruidoso High School, a team that has captured five state championship trophies in recent years and continues to churn out top players that are also excellent students. Beatty also serves on the NGCA All-American Committee and was the NMAA High School Golf Committees chairman for seven years. The exciting part to me about coaching golf at Western New Mexico is that fact that our weather gives us a great opportunity to attract quality players from around the world. We always give the area student-athletes the first chance, but they often want to get away from home and that opens the door to some great players from out-of-state or even out of country. I love to teach golf, so those that want to learn on the range and in the classroom have a great opportunity here. Its a real joy to be around those individuals and see them grow, says Beatty. To me, the most rewarding aspect of coaching golf is the finished product. Its a great feeling when you talk to your former players, see them with their own families and being successful in business and in life. Its kind of neat to know that they call from time to time as 30-year-olds and talk about life, old times, and to see what coach is up to. and sometimes just because they need to get chewed out again for old times sake. Kent Beatty Director of Golf Operations/Head Coach When it comes to late spring, you can usually count on Coach Kent Beatty and his golf teams to be near the top in crunch time. Following his 18th year at WNMU, the men's golf team again was near the best in the nation in 2014-15, ranked as high as 13 by Golfstat, the Mustangs claimed their second straight RMAC title and Beatty was selected as Coach of the Year. Junior Thomas Neve was named an All-American, while several of the Mustangs were ranked in the top-100 in the nation by Golfstat throughout the year including Harry Wetton, Calum Hill and Neve. The Lady Mustangs nearly matched the men at the RMAC Tournament, as they were near the top after both rounds to place third, as Mary Driscol and Bobbi Pierson earned All-RMAC Tournament accolades for their performances.  Coach Beatty turned in another stellar campaign during the 2013-14 season leading the men's team back to prominence with an RMAC Championship title, as senior David Metz captured medalist honors and the team advanced to the NCAA Championships. The team soared to the top seed in the South Central Region and was ranked in the top-10 in both the GCAA and Golfstat polls. Several golfers were given All-RMAC accolades, along with Academic honors. The RMAC recognized his achievement by being named RMAC Men's Golf Coach of the Year.   The year before he guided the women's team to a dominating 24-stroke victory at the RMAC Championships to win going away as junior Arrianna Estrada won the medalist honors. That same year the men advanced to Regionals. Named head coach in 1997, Beatty has learned many of the tricks it takes to lead a successful program, and it shows. Both his mens and womens teams are regular participants in the post season , an accomplishment which has been instrumental in giving WNMUs other athletic programs the confidence to succeed. The fact that Beattys position at WNMU is full-time is an indicator that WNMU is committed to its golf program. The majority of small-school college golf coaches are employed elsewhere or are instructors at their respective universities, and WNMUs commitment to golf and its athletes has paid great dividends over the past few years. In addition to coaching in 13 NCAA Championships (26 NCAA post season tournament appearances and eight conference championships in his 18 years at the school), Coach Beatty has mentored seven all-Americans, nine academic all-Americans and five PGA golf professionals. He, himself, was also named RMAC Women's Golf Coach of the Century in May 2009. Beattys teams at WNMU have continued to improve with each passing season. The quality recruits who commit to WNMU and Beattys no-nonsense approach to athletics and academics seems to be a popular one for newcomers stressing that great golf, solid classroom performance, and learning people skills will increase his players chances of success is the cornerstone of the Beatty philosophy. We are a small school in a small town, which some future student-athletes look as a weakness. I choose to look at as a strength. Its not all about golf at WNMU golf is the fun part. We want our athletes to travel, graduate, and be able to handle lifes problems head-on, through hard work and communication. If they can do that, then they will have a great four years here, says Beatty. A Class A member of the PGA of America, Coach Beatty started one of New Mexicos golf dynasties at Ruidoso High School, a team that has captured five state championship trophies in recent years and continues to churn out top players that are also excellent students. Beatty also serves on the NGCA All-American Committee and was the NMAA High School Golf Committees chairman for seven years. The exciting part to me about coaching golf at Western New Mexico is that fact that our weather gives us a great opportunity to attract quality players from around the world. We always give the area student-athletes the first chance, but they often want to get away from home and that opens the door to some great players from out-of-state or even out of country. I love to teach golf, so those that want to learn on the range and in the classroom have a great opportunity here. Its a real joy to be around those individuals and see them grow, says Beatty. To me, the most rewarding aspect of coaching golf is the finished product. Its a great feeling when you talk to your former players, see them with their own families and being successful in business and in life. Its kind of neat to know that they call from time to time as 30-year-olds and talk about life, old times, and to see what coach is up to. and sometimes just because they need to get chewed out again for old times sake.