University of California Athletics

Gene Bakkum is in his 13th season as a volunteer assistant coach at Cal in 2016-17 and his 15th overall after two previous campaigns from 2002-04 as the assistant coach for the Golden Bears. Prior to arriving at Cal, Bakkum served for two seasons as an assistant men’s golf coach for his alma mater UC Davis (2000-02), helping the Aggies to a No. 1 ranking in Division II men’s golf and back-to-back NCAA West Regional appearances.

Bakkum is also currently in his 13th year as assistant director of instruction at Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, and has instructed at the Nike Jr. Golf camps in Pebble Beach, where he served as assistant director. Bakkum was previously the director of the Nike Coaches All-Star Golf Academy in Phoenix, and has been affiliated with PGA of America since 2005.

“Gene has served Cal men's golf for a long time and we are fortunate to have his contributions to our program,” Alex and Marie Shipman Director of Men's Golf Walter Chun said. “There are so many great things to say about Gene. He works really well with young people. He is an absolute golf junkie and a very likeable person with a good sense of humor and fun attitude. He enjoys the game, loves to teach golf and is a tremendous short game instructor, which is critical when you are developing players.”

Bakkum and his wife, Alicia, reside in Pleasant Hill with their daughters Ava and Alaina.