"IF YOU LIKE GOLF"
weekly online golf column
by
Stan Crawley

July 30, 2002

Almost everyone in Chattanooga knows what the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga athletic department needs the most—money. And lots of it.

New assistant golf coach Mark Guhne believes the dollars will be coming soon, thanks to another new member of the UTC family—athletic director Steve Sloan.

"Steve is such a fantastic guy,’’ said Guhne, who wrestled for the Mocs and graduated from UTC. "I think he’s going to do great things for the golf program.

"I think a lot of things are going to change at UTC. The athletic department is hurting for money, and he will raise it. He has made a commitment to all the sports at UTC.’’

Guhne was recently hired by Sloan as the men’s golf assistant to long-time head coach Reed Sanderlin. The 40-year-old Guhne had been building custom homes, but will make a career change in joining the UTC staff. He plans to turn professional and is seeking a job as an assistant at an area golf course.

Sloan said that Sanderlin is at the end of his tenure as the Mocs’ golf coach, and will retire in one or two years. Consequently, he brought in Guhne as an assistant.

"Mark has been interested in golf and in teaching in the community for some time,’’ said Sloan, who was hired away from Central Florida to head the UTC sports program. "He has a good knowledge of the golf swing, and Reed thinks he will bring a lot to the program with his teaching ability. He likes to work with young people and will add a lot to the program in that way as well.’’

Said Guhne, "I had been working with a lot of the kids in town already. I enjoy teaching. I just decided it was time to get paid for it.’’

Guhne plans to help the UTC golfers with their swings, but also with their stamina and strength.

"I’m going to be on the physical side of it as well,’’ he said. "I’m hoping for workouts at 7 in the morning. That’s the way we did it when I wrestled at UTC and it worked great.’’

Guhne will take the Players Ability Test on July 29 as part of turning professional. Sloan said being a professional was not a requirement in Guhne’s hiring.

"It wouldn’t have hurt his status here not being a pro, but it will lend some credibility to his teaching,’’ Sloan said. "It was his call. I thought it was a good idea if he wanted to do it.’’

Sanderlin believes Guhne will be an excellent addition to the golf program.

"Besides being a good player himself, he has worked extensively with the junior tournament program sponsored by the CDGA and has good rapport with the golfing community at large,’’ Sanderlin said. "Since he plans to turn professional soon, he will also have the time to work with me in planning and running our practice sessions, reviewing the resumes of prospects, and helping out a lot with the NCAA paperwork requirements.

"Mark’s energy level is very high and his enthusiasm about becoming an assistant coach is infectious. I'm certainly delighted to have him on board."

Sloan, an avid golfer, said that he is serious about improving the UTC golf program.

"Golf is important to our overall program here at UTC because the city of Chattanooga has such a rich history of golf,’’ he said. "The city is so golf-oriented with a history of great golfers. It will be important to us in the athletic program.’’

Guhne and Sloan recently played golf at Council Fire with Gibby Gilbert and his son, Gibby Gilbert III. A little game surfaced with Sloan and "Big Gibby’’ playing Guhne and "Little Gibby.’’

"Steve and Gibby wore us out,’’ Guhne said. "And it wasn’t anything that Gibby was doing. Steve shot a 68. He’s quite a player.’’

Sloan used the golf course to raise money when he was athletic director at Central Florida, which is located in another city rich in golf tradition—Orlando.

"Golf, in my case, is a friend raiser and a fund raiser,’’ Sloan said. "You can build a lot of relationships with the golf outings. It works out well, especially in golf communities. It gives you an opportunity to visit with people for four hours. And that’s hard to do anywhere but the golf course.’’

Sloan is starting to make moves at UTC, such as the hiring of Guhne. He is also deep into fund-raising, which has not gone as well as expected.

"I would feel more optimistic about fund raising if the stock market would improve,’’ he said. "It’s hard to raise money when the portfolios of so many people are down so much.’’

Guhne believes his new boss will get the job done in the long run.

"People are excited about working and giving to the UTC program now due to his personality,’’ Guhne said. "He seems like your grandfather after you’ve been around him about five minutes.

"When I was building custom homes, I got most of my sales on the golf course. Steve will do the same for UTC.’’

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