Marshall names Grobe as men’s golf coach

HUNTINGTON - Matthew Grobe, a former Herd golfer in the 1990s, was named as the new Men’s Golf coach at Marshall University.
The hire was announced by Thundering Herd Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick on Friday, June 29.
“I’ve known Matt and his family for a long time,” Hamrick said.
“He is not only a high-quality person, but an up-and-coming professional in this business.”
Grobe, 41, returns to Huntington after six years as the PGA pro at DragonRidge Country Club in Henderson, Nevada.
Grobe served in various capacities on the board of the Southern Nevada Chapter of the Southwest Section of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of America since 2001, including being the chapter president from 2004-07.
In 2004, he was named the Southern Nevada Chapter Golf Professional of the Year.
In 2007, Grobe captured the Bill Strausbaugh Award.

Established in 1979, the Bill Strausbaugh Award is presented to a PGA Professsional who, by their day-to-day efforts, have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and through service to the community.
The award reflects the characteristics and qualities of Strausbaugh, a Middle Atlantic PGA Master Professional who died in 1999.
Award candidates should demonstrate a record of service to their Section or Association; leadership ability, involvement in civic activities and local charitable causes within their community and be recognized as someone of outstanding character.
"This is probably the award I am most proud of for receiving," he said.
"When you're looked at by other golf professionals as someone who gives back, it's quite an honor."
Grobe served as the DragonRidge CC Tournament director in 2004 before leaving for year to serve as the Director of Sales at the Lake Las Vegas Resort.
From 1998-2004, Grobe served as the head pro at Rhodes Ranch Golf Club in Las Vegas after a three-year stint as the assistant pro at Primm Valley Golf Club in Primm, Nevada.
While in Nevada, Grobe also was involved in the UNLV PGA Golf Management program.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to come back to my alma mater and take over the program Joe has built over 40 years,” said Grobe.
“I am looking forward to take what he has established in Huntington and seeing it continue to grow.”
Grobe replaces his coach at Marshall, Joe Feaganes, who retired after 40 years as the head coach of the men’s team and an over 50 year relationship with Thundering Herd golf and athletics.
“I am excited that Matt Grobe, a former Marshall golfer, has been named Marshall’s golf coach,” Feaganes said.
“There were a number of fine candidates for the position, and I look forward to working with Matt during this transition period. He will do a great job.”
Grobe played for the Herd for three years, from 1993-95, when he lettered three times, after attending the Air Force Academy from 1989-92, where his father, Jim Grobe, was an assistant football coach.
Upon his 1995 Marshall graduation with a degree in Business Administration (B.B.A.), Matt began his golf career at nearby Sleepy Hollow Golf Club in Hurricane, W.Va. before relocating to the Las Vegas area.
Matthew was raised in Huntington from 1979-83 while his father was an assistant football coach for head coach Sonny Randle of the Thundering Herd football program.
Jim Grobe was an all-state player at Huntington High, and was an assistant at Marshall and Air Force before becoming head coach at Ohio University and, since 2001, the head coach at Wake Forest University … winning the Associated Press’ Coach of the Year with the Demon Deacons in 2006.
"My dad's philosophy was a kid either has to play a sport or work when they're going through high school," Grobe told the Las Vegas Sun in 2007.
"When I got hurt again (playing football), he told me either I need to find another sport or get a job, so I found golf."
Matt Grobe still has both grandmother’s living in the Huntington area.
Grobe and his wife, Melanie, have a daughter, Mackenzie, and a son Cameron.