Legendary Golf Coach Coleman Retires
May 18, 2009
RALEIGH, N.C. - Lawrence "Peaches" Coleman has retired after an
illustrious 37-year working career at Saint Augustine's College. He
spent the majority of his years at the college as the men's golf
coach. His last day was Friday (May 15).
Coleman achieved many notable accomplishments during his tenure at
Saint Augustine's College. His biggest highlight was being inducted
into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame in 2002.
Athletic director and acclaimed track and field coach George
Williams, who has known Coleman for many years, calls him a great
golf coach.
"We will really miss him," Williams said. "The enthusiasm and
expertise he brought will sorely be missed."
Coleman entered the National Black Golf Hall of Fame because of his
efforts in promoting golf to minorities on the collegiate level. He
was instrumental in starting the PGA National Minority Golf
Championships, which started in 1987.
His golf teams at Saint Augustine's College excelled nationally as
well, especially between 1990 and 1994 when the Falcons captured
five PGA National Minority Golf Championships. Their success during
that period earned them a trip to the White House to visit the
President of the United States. They also were mentioned in the USA
Today national newspaper and Sports Illustrated magazine.
One of Coleman's golfers, Chris Brown, was considered one of the
best black collegiate golfers during that period.
Coleman's teams at Saint Augustine's College also won six Central
Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference titles
overall. His individual accolades include CIAA coach of the year
honors.
Coleman, a 1971 Saint Augustine's College graduate who played on
the Falcon golf team, admits it is hard leaving behind a place he
spent much of his life.
"Thirty-seven years seem like a lifetime, but it was a very
gratifying experience," Coleman said. "What I will miss the most is
working with the students and student-athletes, mainly the
golfers."
