Jeff Roope
Springfield, Ohio — For the first time ever, Wittenberg University will have one coach for both the men's and women's golf programs. Director of Athletics and Recreation Garnett Purnell announced that Jeff Roope, previously an assistant at nearby Otterbein College, has been selected for the position.
Roope comes to Wittenberg after four seasons as an assistant coach with the Otterbein women's golf program. During his time at Otterbein, the Cardinals won three Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) championships, capped in 2006 when all five golfers finished in the individual top 10 to earn All-OAC honors. Otterbein women's golf won 19 team titles and recorded 18 individual titles in tournament play over the last four years, and Cardinal players earned 17 all-conference honors in that span.
Prior to joining the Cardinals, Roope served as girls' golf coach at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus for the 2002 and 2003 seasons. His teams won back-to-back Mid-Ohio Girl's Golf League (MOGGL) championships, and he was honored as the league's Coach of the Year in 2002.
In addition to coaching, he previously worked as an assistant tournament director with the Florida State Golf Association and as an assistant caddiemaster at famed Muirfield Village Golf Club. In addition, Roope has successfully completed the PGA/USGA Rules of Golf School, and he recently passed the PGA of America's Playing Ability Test required for certification as a teaching professional. Roope also competes as an amateur golfer in local and regional events, in which he has posted several top finishes in recent years.
A native of Grove City, Ohio, Roope earned a degree in sport management from Bowling Green State University in 1993 and a master's degree in sport education from Ashland University in 2006. He resides in Columbus with his wife, Nicole.
Roope will have the added title of director of intramurals at Wittenberg. In that role, he will oversee the wide variety of intramural sports that the university's department of athletics offers.
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