Chris Massoletti Named Assistant Coach

MGOLF8/12/2019 4:13 PM | By: Cal Athletics

Chris Massoletti Named Assistant Coach

Chico Native Arrives At Cal After Spending Last Three Seasons With New Mexico Men’s Golf Program

BERKELEY – Cal has hired Chris Massoletti as a men's golf assistant coach Alex and Marie Shipman Director of Men's Golf Walter Chun announced Monday. Massoletti joins Cal after spending the previous three seasons from 2016-19 as an assistant coach with the New Mexico men's golf program. Massoletti also spent three campaigns as the head coach for both the men's and women's golf teams at St. Mary's University in San Antonio (2014-17) following two seasons as a volunteer assistant for the men's golf program at St. Edward's in Austin (2012-14).

"I am beyond excited to get started at Cal," Massoletti said. "Growing up in Northern California, Cal has always been one of my favorite schools. Being able to represent the Golden Bears and continue the storied success this program has had is not only exciting but invigorating. I can't thank coach Chun enough for providing me with this opportunity to help enhance these student-athletes' lives and push them to be the best students, athletes and young men they can be. This is a world-class program and I can't wait to get started."

"I am very excited to have Chris join the program," Chun said. "He has a tremendous work ethic, and of greater importance, he enjoys coaching and providing mentorship to young men. We're fortunate to have him, and he will certainly make his impact with Cal golf."

Massoletti helped New Mexico to the team title at the Mountain West Conference Championships and a spot in the NCAA Louisville Regionals in his final season with the Lobos in 2018-19. In his first season at New Mexico, Massoletti helped the Lobos to a spot in the final field of 30 teams at the 2017 NCAA Championships after a fourth-place finish at the NCAA West Lafayette Regionals.

Massoletti assisted with the development of several top New Mexico student-athletes during his tenure including Andrej Bevins, Sean Carlon, Sam Choi and Galven Green.

Carlon was a Division I PING West All-Region selection and placed second at the MWC Championships as a 2018-19 senior when he also posted New Mexico's top finish at the NCAA Louisville Regionals with a sixth-place showing and a team-best 71.77 stroke average. Green was the 2019 MWC individual medalist after a tied for third-place finish as a true freshman in the 2018 event. Choi was named the MWC Co-Freshman of the Year in 2018-19, while Bevins was an honorable mention All-American choice in 2017.

The Lobos also succeeded in the classroom throughout Massoletti's tenure at New Mexico and in 2018-19 were named the Division I academic national champion by the Golf Coaches Association of America for having the highest GPA among all Division I programs playing men's golf. Carlon and Augustin Hole were New Mexico's fifth and sixth All-America Scholars during Massoletti's three campaigns.

Prior to his arrival at New Mexico, Massoletti was the head coach for both the men's and women's programs at St. Mary's University. Massoletti led the men's team to three consecutive appearances at the NCAA Regionals while also being named the Heartland Conference Women's Golf Coach of the Year for guiding the women's program to its best season in school history in 2015-16 when his squad won the Heartland Conference for the first time in 12 years. St. Mary's also qualified for the NCAA South Central Regionals to make its first NCAA postseason appearance since 2007. During his St. Mary's tenure, Massoletti's teams won four team titles while individuals picked up six victories.

Massoletti started his coaching career as a volunteer assistant for the men's golf program at St. Edward's for two seasons (2011-13) and also served from 2008-13 as an instructor at Teravista Golf Club in Round Rock, Texas. 

Massoletti was a second-team NCAA Division II All-American, All-Western Region and All-California Collegiate Athletic Association choice as a sophomore in his second and final season at Chico State in 2004-05 after earning the school's Male Athlete of the Year honors as a 2003-04 rookie. He transferred to Texas A&M in 2005-06 and used his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility from 2006-08 before graduating from the school with a bachelor's of science degree in agricultural leadership in 2008.

Following his collegiate career, Massoletti played professionally on several tours and made 12 of 19 cuts.
 
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