LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State Director of Athletics
Mario Moccia has announced
Danny Bowen as the fourth head coach of the NM State women's golf program.
"New Mexico State is one of the more prestigious head coaching jobs in the sport of women's golf, as seen by four consecutive NCAA regional appearances," said Moccia. "While we conducted a national search, we believe the best person to lead our program has been the right-hand man during coach Booth's tenure (
Danny Bowen). He has been a great coach who has helped this team on and off the course and we look forward to coach Bowen leading this storied program to new heights."
Coach Bowen most recently concluded his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Aggie women's golf program in 2016-17.
In 2016-17 the Aggies captured their fourth consecutive Western Athletic Conference title and NCAA Regional appearance. With Bowen's help, golfer
Pun Chanachai was named WAC player of the year and WAC freshman of the year.
At the end of the 2016-17 season, NM State earned five All-WAC honors with Chanachai,
Kristen Cline and
Camille Orito being named to the first-team, while
Vale Macias and
Kennedie Montoya earned second-team honors.
This past season, Bowen saw two golfers – Cline and Orito – named Women's Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholars for the fourth year in a row. The team also came in at No. 25 on the WGCA top-25 All-Scholar Team GPA list at 3.703.
After the 2015-16 season the Aggies had five student-athletes earn All-WAC honors in 2016 with Viviana Macias collecting WAC Player of the Year honors and
Kennedie Montoya was the WAC Tournament Champion.
Prior to coaching, Bowen played golf at NM State from 2002-06. As an Aggie, he helped the men's golf program win four tournaments, including two conference championships. Bowen was a three-time conference first team honoree and was also invited to participate in the NCAA West Regional Golf Tournament as an individual on two separate occasions.
The Albuquerque, N.M. native made an immediate impact as part the Aggie golf team. As a freshman, he played in all 11 tournaments, was the top Aggie finisher in seven of those tournaments and his 73.79 strokes per round average was the best average on the NM State team.
The next season Bowen helped NM State win its first Sun Belt conference title and earned the first of two consecutive first team All-Sun Belt honors.
His junior year, Bowen compiled four top-10 finishes and for the first time participated in the NCAA West Regional as an individual. In the summer of 2005 Bowen also qualified for the 2005 U.S. Amateur after finishing second at a Sectional Qualifier.
NM State moved from the Sun Belt Conference to the Western Athletic Conference after Bowen's junior year. But the move didn't hinder either the Aggies' or Bowen's performance. Bowen was named first team all-conference for the third consecutive year as he garnished first team All-WAC honors. His performance on the golf course helped NM State to a WAC title in its first year in the conference.
Bowen attended Eldorado High School. In 2002, he won the New Mexico Individual State Championship as a senior at Eldorado.
Bowen and his wife Nicole have a son, Zach, and two daughters, Bri and Rachel.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT COACH BOWEN…
Jackie Booth (Former NM State Women's Golf Head Coach)
"In my many years of coaching I have not met the quality of leadership that
Danny Bowen brings to women's golf. After being in the field for over 20 years and then having the opportunity to hire Danny was such a breath of fresh air. He understands golf, the swing and how to score. And to add to that he gets working with young women and the time and effort required to be a coach and to be successful. We enjoyed 6 great years together and were able to get the program back to winning and creating successful student athletes. I know he will be a great addition to the NM State athletics staff and the team will continue to be successful under his leadership. I look forward to watching how far he can and will take the program."
Scott Lieberwirth (UTEP Men's Golf Head Coach)
"I told Jackie (Booth) that she would be crazy not to hire Danny as her assistant five years ago and now naming him the next head coach seems only right. I have never coached a finer student-athlete or one I've had more respect for than
Danny Bowen. The New Mexico State women's golf program is on the uptick and Danny is the perfect fit to keep it going."
Paul Brilliant (Former NM State Women's Golf Head Coach)
Danny is perfect for the job. Jackie (Booth) and I have always had an interest in keeping the women's golf program successful on and off the course and he is the man for it. He's got the experience and the ability to coach this team. The ship was going in the right direction, it just needed the right captain and that's what Danny is."
