SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento State head golf coach Rene Mondine announced today that he is retiring from the University. Mondine began his tenure as the men’s head coach in 1986 and has guided the women’s team since its inception in 1996. He will remain with the program until a new head coach is named.“This was a difficult decision for me to make,” Mondine said. “I am glad that I will be able to spend more time with my family, but will miss working with the student-athletes. I still plan to be around the program and help out whenever possible.”
During his 17 years at Sacramento State, the Hornet men won the Big Sky Conference team title in 1996 and 1997, and added a second-place finish in 1998. Individually, six Hornets have placed in the top five of the conference since 1996, including Robert Hamilton who was the Big Sky Tournament individual champion in 1996 and 1997. Mondine was also named Big Sky Coach of the Year in both 1996 and 1997.
The women’s team has recorded two top-three Big Sky finishes and has also had three individuals finish in the top five.
“I appreciate the leadership Rene has provided our golf program over the past 17 years,” Sacramento State director of athletics Terry Wanless said. “He has been very popular with our players and the respect they have for him is remarkable. He will be missed, but the foundation he has built will be remembered.”
Prior to coming to Sacramento State, Mondine served as a tournament director for the Ladies Professional Golf Association from 1973-76 and was a teaching pro. An established golfer, Mondine has won numerous championships in the Sacramento area, including the Sacramento City Amateur title in 1961. He has also won the Rancho Murieta Golf Club Championship twice, the Sacramento Golf Club Championship three times, the Bing Maloney Golf Club title twice, the Sacramento County Senior Amateur Championship twice, and placed third at the California State Senior Amateur Championship in 1995.
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