Lapa Promoted To Associate Head Coach
June 26, 2023 | Men's Golf
STARKVILLE – After helping guide Mississippi State men's golf to its first NCAA Regional title, Kolton Lapa has been promoted to associate head coach, Dusty Smith announced on Monday.
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Lapa joined the Bulldogs in June 2022 and made an immediate impact. Under Smith and Lapa's leadership, the Bulldogs set school records for rounds in the 60s (43) and par or better rounds (119), surpassing the previous totals by wide margins. Lapa and Smith led State to three tournament titles in 2022-23 and took MSU back to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2008.
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Additionally, the Bulldogs shot three of the 10 lowest team rounds in program history and shot two of the top four 54-hole team totals. They broke the school record for both along the way. State's nine top-five finishes as a team were one shy of the school record set in 2012-13.
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"I'm so thankful for Kolton and everything he has done and continues to do for our program," Smith said. "He cares deeply for our players and wants to do whatever possible to make them better people, students and golfers. I have been very impressed with his attention to detail and his desire to work daily to be the best coach he can be."
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Lapa walked the course with Hunter Logan as he shot a 12-under 204 at the Mossy Oak Collegiate to finish tied for third. He's also worked closely with Garrett Endicott, who was a SEC All-Freshman Team selection and a PING Honorable Mention All-American.
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Lapa has a major role in State's recruiting efforts, particularly overseas when drawing international players. Since his arrival the Bulldogs have signed transfer Alejandro Pedryc (Poland), the No. 2 Mexican junior in Alejandro Fierro and Division II national champion Josep Serra (Spain). Those complement the international contingent that was already in Starkville or signed to Smith in Pedro Cruz Silva (Portugal), Loic Ettlin (Switzerland), Ben Loveard (England) and Ruan Pretorius (South Africa).
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For more information on the Bulldog golf program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateMG."
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Lapa joined the Bulldogs in June 2022 and made an immediate impact. Under Smith and Lapa's leadership, the Bulldogs set school records for rounds in the 60s (43) and par or better rounds (119), surpassing the previous totals by wide margins. Lapa and Smith led State to three tournament titles in 2022-23 and took MSU back to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2008.
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Additionally, the Bulldogs shot three of the 10 lowest team rounds in program history and shot two of the top four 54-hole team totals. They broke the school record for both along the way. State's nine top-five finishes as a team were one shy of the school record set in 2012-13.
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"I'm so thankful for Kolton and everything he has done and continues to do for our program," Smith said. "He cares deeply for our players and wants to do whatever possible to make them better people, students and golfers. I have been very impressed with his attention to detail and his desire to work daily to be the best coach he can be."
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Lapa walked the course with Hunter Logan as he shot a 12-under 204 at the Mossy Oak Collegiate to finish tied for third. He's also worked closely with Garrett Endicott, who was a SEC All-Freshman Team selection and a PING Honorable Mention All-American.
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Lapa has a major role in State's recruiting efforts, particularly overseas when drawing international players. Since his arrival the Bulldogs have signed transfer Alejandro Pedryc (Poland), the No. 2 Mexican junior in Alejandro Fierro and Division II national champion Josep Serra (Spain). Those complement the international contingent that was already in Starkville or signed to Smith in Pedro Cruz Silva (Portugal), Loic Ettlin (Switzerland), Ben Loveard (England) and Ruan Pretorius (South Africa).
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For more information on the Bulldog golf program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateMG."
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Players Mentioned
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