Nov. 30, 2015

NORMAN, Okla. – South Carolina women’s golf associate head coach and director of golf development and facilities Puggy Blackmon has been named winner of the Labron Harris Sr. Award, as announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America on Monday.

The annual award is given to a college or high school coach and PGA Professional who has helped the game of golf grow through teaching and coaching as well as involvement in the community.

“I am both honored and humbled by this prestigious award,” said Blackmon. “Labron Harris was a pioneer in collegiate coaching at a time when his tireless efforts and contributions were for the love of the game. Many thanks to the GCAA for this award and their contributions to the unparalleled growth of our great profession.”

Blackmon, who was inducted to the GCAA Hall of Fame in 2005, entered his 21^st season at South Carolina and his ninth year with the women’s program this past fall. The Beaufort, S.C., native coached the men’s golf team from 1995-2007, leading the Gamecocks to the NCAA postseason in all 12 seasons during his tenure. South Carolina won nine team tournaments and 11 individual titles under Blackmon, while the women’s team has earned three NCAA Regional titles since he took on assistant coaching duties in 2010.

Prior to coming to South Carolina, Blackmon spent 12 seasons as the head coach of the men’s golf team at Georgia Tech, where he earned ACC Coach of the Year honors four times (1984, 1985, 1992 and 1993). The Yellow Jackets made 11 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament and won the ACC team title five times (1985, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994) with Blackmon at the helm.

Blackmon and the Gamecocks resume their 2015-16 slate in February when they open play at the Florida State Match-Up in Tallahassee, Fla. The three-day event at the Don Veller Seminole Golf Course gets underway on Friday, Feb. 12.