NDSU Men’s Golf Head Coach Steve Kennedy Announces Retirement

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State men’s golf head coach Steve Kennedy announced his retirement on Wednesday, June 4, after leading the Bison program for 12 seasons.
 
The LaMoure, North Dakota native and NDSU alum took over the program for the 2013-14 season and led it for more than a decade. Kennedy built the NDSU men’s golf program into one of the premier programs in The Summit League. Under Kennedy, the Bison won the program’s first-ever Summit League Championship in 2018, while nearly every program record was set during his tenure.
 
“I’ve had the privilege of coaching the Bison for the past 12 years,” said Kennedy. “I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach so many great players and even better young men in our program.”
 
NDSU has claimed 18 team victories under Kennedy, including at least one for six-straight seasons, a time span which saw the Bison win 14 times. The Bison have also claimed 17 individual medalist honors under Kennedy’s coaching and 146 top-10 finishes.
 
“We are so grateful for the incredible impact that Steve had on Bison Athletics and the men’s golf program,” said Matt Larsen. “His role in developing our student-athletes while also building and sustaining a high-level golf program during his tenure will be felt for years to come. Our men’s golf program is poised for continued success thanks to Steve’s hard work, dedication and Bison Pride. I wish he and Renee nothing but the best in retirement.”
 
Kennedy led the Bison to several program records during his tenure, including the best scoring average in program history with a 286.30 in 2023-24. Kennedy led the program to the top seven scoring averages in the program’s history and 11 of the top 20.
 
NDSU earned 21 All-Summit League honors with 12 different Bison student-athletes in his 12 seasons. In the 2023-24 season, Kennedy coached a record five Bison to all-league honors, with two first-team selections and three second-team selections. He was named the Summit League Coach of the Year in 2017-18.
 
“I also want to thank the administration for their support throughout my time here,” said Kennedy, “as well as Matt Johnson and Larry Murphy for all of their support over the years. As they say in LaMoure, ‘Thanks for the memories!'”
 
The Bison set a record for the most individual wins (6) and different individual winners (4) in a season in 2022-23. Bison golfers also set a program record with 81 rounds of par or better during the 2023-24 season. In 2024-25, the Bison also set a new program record with four Bison student-athletes being named to the Academic All-Summit League Team, as well as the program’s first Scholar of the Championship accolade.
 
Under Kennedy’s guidance, Bison golfers have claimed 37 of the top 50 individual rounds in program history, as well as 33 of the top 35 team rounds. 169 of NDSU’s 211 all-time rounds in the 60s came under Kennedy’s watch. Bison golfers claimed 34 of the top 39 individual 54-hole tournament scores, and the top 25 team 54-hole tournament scores as well under Kennedy. In back-to-back seasons, the Bison set new records for individual and team 54-hole records, with Jake Skarperud shooting a -14 and the team finishing at -40 at the Loyola Intercollegiate in February of 2024 to set the newest marks.
 
Prior to becoming the head coach of the Bison, Kennedy had a decorated high school coaching career, leading the Fargo South Bruins to 12 state championships in 18 years before becoming the first head coach at Fargo Davies in 2011. Kennedy is a five-time North Dakota Coach of the Year and was named National Coach of the Year in 2008. He coached nine state medalists and 21 future Division I players, including PGA Tour winner Tom Hoge. Kennedy was inducted into the Fargo South High School Hall of Fame in 2022 for his work as a Physics teacher and as the golf coach.
 
Steve and his wife Renee have two children and two grandchildren.