Denny Hepler is ready to take over the Grace College golf program for his 11th season in the fall of 2023.
Hepler boasts a pristine playing career. He played collegiate golf at both Ball State University and Florida State University, advancing to three NCAA finals during his career. He was a First Team All-Conference selection while at Florida State.
Hepler turned pro in 1978 and quickly catapulted up the world rankings. He was the first American to win the Malaysian Open in 1982 as he climbed up to No. 158 in the world rankings.
He played for two years on the PGA Tour in 1986-87 before joining the PGA of America in 1990.
Overall, Hepler has played in nine major championships including four times in the US Open, four times in the PGA Championships and once at the British Open.
He has also won a pair of Indiana Opens and was inducted into the Indiana Golf Foundation Hall of Fame in 2003. Additionally he was the winner of Golf Channel's Big Break VI.
Hepler moved on to serve as the assistant pro at Stonehenge Golf Club for 10 years before owning and operating Raccoon Run Golf Course for 18 years. In 2019 he moved into operating Stonehenge as well.
Hepler, who was named the 2004 US Kids’ Teacher of the Year, started the Warsaw Junior High golf team in 2004.Â
For the Lancers, Hepler helped the men's team qualify for the NCCAA National Championships for the first time in nearly two decades, including earning an individual All-American (Tristan Nienhuis). The Lancers placed fourth in the nation at NCCAA Nationals in both 2021 and 2019. Additionally, Hepler also coached the No. 2 individual finisher in the 2016 Crossroads League Championship (Jonathan Schram).
In 2021, Parker Wilburn was the individual NCCAA champion, becoming the first national medalist in team history.
A local product, Hepler graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 1973. He and his wife Cindy have three children – Mallory Isabel, Karalee Alvey and Nate Stockman.
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