Larry Watts took the reigns as Director of Golf in 2020. He is well known for his relational approach to education leadership and stresses the importance of servant leadership, making him a strong proponent of the Bushnell Athletics Tri-Athlete Model.
His leadership, experience, and fundamental soundness in teaching golf, combined with his faith values, serve the Bushnell golf program well. He has developed a strong reputation for his fresh approaches to scoring, mental focus, course management and instilling an appreciation for process and de-emphasizing outcomes.
In the spring of 2021, in just his second season leading the Beacons, the men's team secured their first-ever CCC Regular Season Championship and just the third men's team to win a CCC regular-season title. Under Watts' leadership, Bushnell has been the home of back-to-back CCC Tournament medalists as Andrew Webb (2022) and Caden Stubbs (2023) both won the CCC championship and qualified for the NAIA National Championship tournament.
Watts came to the Beacons after a long career coaching at the high school level and 30 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in public schools. He was the head varsity coach at Junction City HS for 12 years and at Thurston HS for six. In that time brought a state championship and runner-up finish to the Tigers and has mentored four individual champions.
Coach Watts graduated from Western Oregon University with a degree in social science and also earned a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon. He is retired from public education and played professionally in the senior circuit. He has been around the golf course since he was ten and he is also a caddy at Bandon Dunes Golf Course.
What his players have said:
Andrew Webb: "Coach Watts coaches and loves his players like a father. He has a gift to see what your heart is doing and how it influences your game. He is honest with you and tells you what you already knew about yourself, then he leads you to the word of God to get you back into living life in the spirit. To say he impacted my life simply doesn’t do justice. He gave me a new perspective, and opened my eyes to who I was created to be. God uses people as messengers and witnesses to His testimony. Larry is obedient to His voice and is truly doing the work he was meant to do. Larry speaks life into his players, and teaches them to play the game with trust and passion”.
Jon Holzgang: "Not only does Coach Watts help you grow as a golfer, he helps you grow as a person. Larry focuses on keeping your body in shape in the gym and mind strong through scripture and conversation. He holds each player accountable and gives amazing advice. Coach Watts not only wants to be your coach, he wants a life-long relationship. Coach Watt’s knowledge and experience in the golf world is second to none. He helped me so much personally and will forever cherish our time together."
