Miami Golf head coach JD Fletcher announced his staff for the upcoming season today. Fletcher, who is entering his fourth season at the helm, and returning assistant coach Charlie Winkler (second season) are joined by new assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Bruce Cunningham this year. Grant Tefft will serve as the program’s student manager.
 
The RedHawks are coming off a runner-up performance at the 2024 MAC Championships, the program’s highest finish since 2015 and second top-two finish in the past 20 years. The Red and White also swept the top three spots on the podium at the Ross Collegiate Classic in March, taking second place as a team. Miami produced a pair of All-MAC selections (Danny Fisher – first team, Brett Podobinski – second team), the MAC Freshman of the Year (Morgan Blythe), a MAC All-Tournament pick (Fisher), two Academic All-MAC honors (Fisher and Cameron Pero) and three Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars (Fisher, Pero and Matthew Mattioli).
 
“Charlie was a massive help for us this last year in getting our best MAC Championship finish in nine seasons,” Fletcher said of Winkler. “He brings an amazing positive vibe to events and practice each week. His involvement in recruiting the state of Ohio specifically has been instrumental for the future of the program. I look forward to really seeing Charlie grow even more as a coach in his second season on staff.”
 
Cunningham retired from Eastern Michigan in 2024 after 30 years as the EMU head coach. He led the Eagles to MAC championships in 2007, 2008 and 2019, with numerous top-three finishes throughout his tenure. Cunningham is a three-time MAC Coach of the Year and placed a team or individual in six NCAA Tournaments during his time at EMU, producing 40 All-America Scholars over an impressive tenure that stretched for three decades.
 
Cunningham has also served as Head PGA Golf Professional at Eagle Crest Golf Club, been part of the Mid-American Conference Golf Coaches Advisory Council and participated in the NCAA District IV Golf Committee. Cunningham previously served as an Assistant Golf Professional at Oakland Hills Country Club, Marion Country Club, and Palm-Aire Country Club.

A 1985 graduate of Wittenberg University, Cunningham was a two-time Most Valuable Player on the golf team and played in three national championships.

 

“Bruce has been a dear friend and mentor for myself over the last three seasons in the MAC and I also was recruited by Bruce when I was a junior golfer,” said Fletcher. “Bruce has had a very decorated coaching resume up to this point and is one of the most respected coaches in the NCAA. I am very excited to see what he can bring to the table in terms of recruiting. You are allowed up to three coaches per NCAA rules, and I believe having more eyes on junior golfers, junior college players and the transfer portal will only help our program. Bruce has been on the MAC Championship podium and knows what it takes to win. We want to win here at Miami and ultimately get back to Regionals.”

 

Tefft is a second-year member of the Miami University club golf team and was a state qualifier in high school, where he played four years of varsity golf for Toledo Central Catholic in Toledo, Ohio. He served as the head intern of the Toledo Junior Golf Association this summer, overseeing the scoring and tournament analytics program for over 20 tournaments. Tefft, a native of Sylvania, Ohio, is currently a sophomore at Miami majoring in Business Analytics.

 

“We are also adding Grant Tefft to our staff to help with day-to-day operations of the program,” Fletcher said. “Grant works with the Toledo Junior Golf Association during the summertime and has had great experience in the golf business.” 

 

The RedHawks begin the 2024-25 season Sept. 1 at the Island Resort Intercollegiate in Harris, Michigan.