Byrd Joins Men's Golf Staff

WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNCW men's golf head coach Blake Taylor has announced the addition of experienced golf professional Chris Byrd as an assistant coach ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Byrd brings more than 30 years of golf experience to the defending Coastal Athletic Association Champion Seahawks, including several stints as a golf professional at several nationally recognized facilities, including Cape Fear Country Club (Wilmington, N.C.), Chechessee Creek Club (Okatie, S.C.), Secession Golf Club (Beaufort, S.C.), Carnoustie Golf Links (Carnoustie, Scotland), Roaring Fork Golf Club (Basalt, Colo.), Iron Horse Golf Club (Whitefish, Mon.) and Linville Golf Club (Linville, N.C.)

"I am extremely honored to welcome Chris to the Seahawk Men's Golf Program. He is a true professional in all that he does," said Taylor, the 2026 CAA Coach of the Year. "His resume speaks for itself, but Chris's passion for the game of golf and will to help others improve on their game is second to none and we are grateful to have him join our team."

Byrd is a Class "A" PGA Professional with a background in player development, teaching, philanthropic initiatives, tournament operations and golf administration. He previously worked with NXT Level Golf, an indoor training facility focusing on high-level junior and collegiate coaching, to include technology, recruitment platforms, and golf-specific fitness training.

A past President of the Carolinas PGA Section, Byrd spent 12 years on the organization's Board of Directors, including eight years as an officer. He has been awarded the PGA Carolinas Section Golf Professional of the Year and Assistant Professional of the Year and was a recipient of the Horton Smith Award.

Byrd holds a Bachelor of Science degree in History from Lees-McRae College.

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Byrd Joins Men's Golf Staff