Tommy Snell inducted into NJCAA Golf Coaches Hall of Fame
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College golf coach Tommy Snell has a one-word answer for what he likes about his job.
"Everything," he said. "I mean that. I just love working with the kids."
Snell is good at it, too. The National Junior College Athletic Association announced Friday that he was being inducted into its Men's Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
The Gulf Coast coach since 2001, Snell has coached the Bulldogs to five state championships and the last seven Region 23 titles. They have finished in the top 10 at the NJCAA Tournament five times, including a third-place finish last year.
He called that a highlight among many accomplishments, including seeing many hard-working golfers getting scholarships and playing at four-year universities.
"I like being out there with the kids on the golf course," Snell said. "It's a privilege to work with them. They teach me as much as I teach them."
In 2008, he was named the Eaton/Golf Pride National Coach of the Year by the Golf Coaches Association of America for NJCAA DII. He's been named Region 23 Coach of the year four times, including three straight in 2008-10.
He is serving as president of the NJCAA DII Men's Golf Coaches Association and is the NJCAA's national rep with the GCAA. He has served on numerous boards and committees with the GCAA and has a rules official with the United States Golf Association.
An outstanding player, Snell was a qualifying medalist in the 1980 U.S. Open and has won several amateur and professional tournaments.
Snell joins former Eastern Florida State golfer Jacob Davis as an inductee to the hall.
"It's quite an honor," Snell said. "I'm humbled that my peers would nominate me first, and then vote me in. It's a privilege and an honor."
Snell career highlights
- MGCCC golf coach since 2001
- MGCCC record: MACJC/Region 23 Champions 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, (Region 23 Champs 2013, 2014); runners up in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
- 2014 Team Finished 3rd @ NJCAA Tournament
- 2013 Team Finished 6th @ NJCAA Tournament
- 2012 Team Finished 5th @ NJCAA Tournament
- 2011 Team Finished 12th @ NJCAA Tournament
- 2010 Team Finished 8th @ NJCAA Tournament
- 2009 Team Finished 9th @NJCAA Tournament
- 2008 Team Finished 13th @ NJCAA Tournament
- 2002-2012: Sent golfers to NJCAA Tournament
- 2008 PING Coach of the Year
- 2008 MACJC Coach of the Year
- 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014 Region XXIII Coach of the Year
- 1996-2000: Coached St. John High School to five straight 2A state titles
- 1999: MHSAA Coach of the Year
- Former Mississippi Golf Association president
- United States Golf Association (USGA) rules official and committeeman
- 1980: U.S. Open qualifying medalist
- Winner of several amateur and professional tournaments
- Sun Herald newspaper "In the Bag" Sunday column author
- Master's Degree, William Carey College
- Bachelor of Science Degree (English-Highest Honors), University of Southern Mississippi
- 1970: Sam Houston High School graduate
- 1967-69: Attended Gulfport East High School
