The Muskingum University Athletic Department announced that Blake Hartford has been named the head coach of the Men's and Women's Golf programs.

Hartford begins his stint with Muskingum after a successful collegiate career at NCAA Division II Texas A&M – Commerce in Commerce, Texas. While with the Lions, Hartford helped lead the team to a Southland Conference Championship and was honored with First Team All-Southland Conference accolades. Hartford was also a SAAC Representative for the men's golf team. Hartford also recently served as a Youth Golf Instructor with the Summit Golf Academy. In this role, Hartford provided instruction for 14-21-year-olds and worked with numerous college golfers to improve swing technique and overall skill development.

"I am looking forward to watching Blake take the reigns and continue building onto our recent successes on the golf course, said Muskingum Director of Athletics Kari Winters. "Blake appreciates the importance of the student-athlete experience, and we are all looking forward to watching him leave his mark on our men's and women's golf programs."

Before his time with Texas A&M – Commerce, Hartford began his collegiate playing career at NCAA Division III Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. While with the Mountaineers, Hartford was an all-conference golfer in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference and a finalist for the Nicklaus Player of the Year Award. On the national level, Hartford was named to the NCAA All-Freshman Team, and he was also honored as a member of the Ping All-Region Team. Hartford was also the winner of the 2020 Houston Amateur Championship.

"I'm excited and honored to join the athletic staff at Muskingum University and to continue to move the men's and women's golf teams in the direction they've been headed the last few years," said Hartford. "Both teams have shown that they can be very competitive in the OAC. I believe that with the vision, knowledge, and passion for the game that our entire coaching staff has, we will succeed. I want our student-athletes to have an impactful college experience, and I'm ready to start!"

Hartford graduated from Texas A&M – Commerce in 2019 with a B.S. in mathematics. He also earned his Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M – Commerce in 2021.