WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Denny Hepler has decided to retire from his role as the head coach of Grace's men's golf team.
Hepler has led the Lancers for the last 11 years, guiding Grace to six trips to the NCCAA National Championships.
"The past 11 years at Grace have been very rewarding. I enjoyed getting to know each and every guy that was on my team, and I will miss helping them grow in golf, their personal character and in their faith in Jesus Christ," Hepler said. "With eight grandchildren and my role running Stonehenge Golf Course, I feel confident that it is time to pass on the baton and retire from coaching Lancer Golf. I'm glad the program is in a good position. I'm thankful for the leadership I've had under A.D. Chad Briscoe, and I've been truly blessed to have had this role at such a great institution."
Grace has enjoyed steady success under Hepler's guidance. Grace claimed a program-best fourth place at the NCCAA tournament four times since Hepler began coaching.
Individually, Hepler has coached four NCCAA All-Americans, most recently Camron Jones who earned the honor one week ago. Parker Wilburn also was the 2021 NCCAA individual national champion under Hepler's leadership.
This fall, Grace enjoyed tremendous success. The team set program records for lowest score across 18 holes and 36 holes. Jones also carded the best score individually in team history for 18 holes and 36 holes.
"We greatly appreciate all that Coach Hepler has done for the men's golf program during his tenure as head coach. He has done so much for golf not only at Grace but also in our community throughout the years," said Grace Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe. "We are thankful for his Christ-centered leadership to impact the lives of the men who came through the program. We wish Denny and his wife Cindy all the best as he retires from coaching. We look forward to continuing to work with him in his continued role overseeing our home golf course at Stonehenge."
Grace will begin a search immediately to fill the coaching vacancy. The Lancers have concluded the fall season and will continue play in the spring.
