Sept. 24, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina head men’s golf coach Bill McDonald announced the addition of former Gamecock All-American and PGA Tour professional Carl Paulson to his staff as the program’s volunteer coach on Wednesday.

Paulson brings a wealth of golf knowledge and experience to the Carolina program after a standout career in Garnet and Black and a lengthy professional career.

“I am very pleased and excited to announce that former Gamecock great and good friend, Carl Paulson, will be joining our coaching staff as a volunteer coach,” McDonald said. “Carl’s experience playing professionally, along with his love of Carolina, is a great combination and most certainly will benefit our players and the men’s program as a whole. The majority of our players aspire to play golf professionally, and Carl knows what it takes to play the game at the highest level. Coach (Alex) Hamilton and I look forward to working with Carl, and together as a staff pushing this team to greater heights.”

Paulson, who played for the Gamecocks from 1989-93, couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to help his alma mater continue its rise on the national scene.

“I am thrilled to back in the Columbia area and be associated with the University of South Carolina again,” Paulson said. “I am especially excited about working with coach McDonald, coach Hamilton and this very talented men’s golf team. I will do what I can to help this great program achieve the ultimate goal, championships! Go Gamecocks!”

A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Paulson earned All-America honors as a senior in 1993. He is still the only Gamecock to be named SEC Player of the Year as he earned the honor in 1993. Paulson won four tournament titles during his time in Garnet and Black, the second most in school history. He captured medalist honors at the 1991 Metro Conference Championship to lead the Gamecocks to the team title.

Following his collegiate career, Paulson qualified for the PGA Tour in 1995. After an unsuccessful rookie season he was forced back to qualifying school, which he won. He then lost his PGA Tour card and played on what is now the Web.com Tour for the next three years. In 1999 he led the Web.com Tour money list and was named the Player of the Year, prompting a return to the PGA Tour. Paulson played on the PGA Tour from 2000-06 and was the 54-hole leader at the 2002 PGA Tour Players Championship and finished second in the Valspar Championship in 2001. However, he was forced off the tour with back injuries and was on the sidelines until late 2010 after having three back surgeries. Paulson tried his hand at a comeback in 2011-12 but was unable to continue the vigorous tour life with his back problems. He has been broadcasting on Sirius XM Radio’s PGA Tour Channel since stepping away from the game and now co-hosts a show called “Inside the Ropes” on Sirius 208 and XM 93.