REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands and Bulldog Athletics are excited to announce the hiring of Jamie Zantua as the next Head Women's Golf Coach. Zantua will become the first full-time head coach in the history of either program history.
"Thank you to all who were involved in making this dream a reality," explained Zantua. "I'm really excited for this opportunity. Having the chance to lead a pair of Nationally Ranked Top-10 programs is a coach's dream! I can't wait to get the season started!"
Director of Athletics Jeff Martinez on hiring Redlands' first full-time golf head coach, Jamie Zantua:
"Our golf programs have had a long tradition of success and we have been fortunate to have had many outstanding part-time head coaches over the years. I'm grateful for the continued support of our administration and excited to have Coach Zantua join Bulldog Athletics, full-time, providing the leadership and continuing to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience in both our golf programs."
Since August of 2022 Zantua served as the Interim Head Women's Golf Coach while continuing his Head Coaching duties for the Men's Golf team. During that time he also served as the Assistant Golf Professional at Redlands Country Club.
Beginning Monday, January 16 Zantua officially becomes the Bulldogs Head Women's Golf Coach, in addition to his Men's Golf duties. He joined the program as an assistant in 2016 and began serving as the Head Men's Golf Coach in 2018. Since then has had an Individual NCAA Division III National Qualifier, an NCAA Division III All-American, two All-West Region representatives, the SCIAC Athlete of the Year and 11 All-SCIAC performers. During his four seasons he compiled a trio of Top-3 finishes at the SCIAC Championships. His teams also earned national recognition on 14 different occasions with the highest ranking coming at No. 6, which occurred this past Fall (2022).
On the women's side, in just a few months, he took the program to new heights, which includes a No. 1 Division III National Ranking according to Golfstat and Mizuno/WGCA. The team also took home two tournament titles (CA State Intercollegiate & Division III Preview Tournament) and saw five players earn individual national ranking recognition led by Kendall Nicholson who comes in as the top-ranked player in Division III.
Currently the women hold a 96.5 relative percentage and are one of only three teams at or above 95 percent. Their adjusted scoring average is a 73.75, second best in the country and are one of only three teams under a 74. Redlands is also a perfect 9-0 against Top-25 teams and has the most wins without a loss in the country.
Redlands' No. 1 ranking comes thanks to those wins they had this past fall, the first coming at the California State Intercollegiate where they shot a program-best 275 in the first round, besting their score at the SCIAC No. 1 in 2021 by 12 strokes. In their second round they shot their fifth single best round with a 289. Their two-round score of 564 set a program record by 19 strokes over their score at the same tournament in September 2021.
The second win came at the Division III Preview Tournament in Howey-in-the-Hills, FL where Nicholson shot a 77-70, with the 70 being the 12th lowest single-round score in program history. Redlands ended up beating out seven current Top-25 teams over the two days, four of which are inside the Top-10.
Zantua brings nearly 12 years of working, teaching, and coaching in the golf industry. Currently a registered PGA Apprentice, he is on his way to becoming a PGA Member through additional education and training. He strives to become a certified PGA Professional while sharing his love for the game of golf.
Prior to making the move to the Redlands area, Zantua worked with the Coyotes of Cal State San Bernardino as the Assistant Men's Golf Coach. He also gained experience as the Assistant Golf Professional at Arrowhead Country Club.
When not on the golf course, Zantua enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his wife Michelle, and children Jordan, Kalaya, and Adalyn. He also likes to travel, go fishing, and play basketball.