The UW-Eau Claire athletics department revealed on March 1 that Mike Greer, the men’s and women’s golf teams’ head coach, stepped down. Since then a national search has taken place.

Greer, a Class A member of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) of America, decided to step down from his coaching duties because of his promotion at the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club. He is now the PGA Head Golf Professional.

A four-time letter winner for the Blugolds in 2004, Greer was acknowledged as honorable mention at the All-American honors and in 2007 he was awarded to the PING All-Central Region Team.

During his two seasons coaching the women’s team, Greer led the Blugolds to two second-place finishes in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).

While coaching for four years on the men’s side, Greer had one player earn NCAA Division III PING All-America and a second player earn NCAA Division III All-Freshmen Honors, which was one of six to be recognized nationally.

Greer now oversees the supervision and direction of the golf shop and supervision of teaching at a PGA Recognized Golf Facility. With the golf team practicing at the facility regularly, coach Greer will still have contact with the athletes.

After going through an extensive interview process with the Eau Claire athletic director Dan Schumacher, Darrin Skinner was appointed head coach of the golf program on Monday April 2.

“He has experience with golf and teaching locally, and in the Midwest, which is big,” Schumacher said. “It takes a special person to fill this job and we got very lucky with Skinner.”

Skinner will take his place as coach effective immediately as the new season begins.

Skinner’s previous endeavors include: Playing golf for North Dakota State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree, working as an assistant golf professional at the PGA National Golf Club and running an online golf sales business.

“I would like to thank Athletic Director Dan Schumacher for the opportunity to lead programs with such a rich history,” Skinner said. “I also appreciate what Coach Greer has done for the program in his tenure along with his willingness to help with the transition. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and making an impact on these young men and women.”

During a meeting held on Monday, Blugold golfers and Skinner got to meet and interact.

Ryan Isaacson, a second-year golfer, said they still have a lot to learn about him.

“He has enormous shoes to fill in Coach Greer, but Coach Skinner is the man for the job,” Isaacson said. “He has great things to bring to our team. Going into the season, our goal remains the same, and that’s to get to the National Championship.”

The Blugold men start their spring season April 6 at the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational at the Ironwood Golf Course in Normal, Ill. The women will open their spring season April 14 at the Minnesota State Invitational at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids, Minn.