Christianson Named American International Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach

Christianson Named American International Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach
Posted: Aug 04, 2015

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2015

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - American International Director of Athletics Matt Johnson has announced Joe Christianson as the new Head Women's and Men's Golf Coach.

Christianson joins the Yellow Jackets staff after serving as Assistant Coach at St. John's University in 2014-15, where he spent a great deal of time with the St. John's women's golf program, helping lead them to a fourth place finish at the 2015 Big East Championship.

"We are thrilled to be adding someone of Joe Christianson's stature to the coaching staff at AIC. Joe has proven to be a winner at every stage of his career," said Johnson.

"We feel that he has the playing and teaching experience to take our golf programs to another level. Additionally, Joe has a tremendous network in the golf world, which, we believe, will attract some of the best players in the country moving forward."

Christianson will play an integral in getting the AIC women's golf program off the ground. During his time with the Red Storm, he led Anna Kim to a high ranking of 140 in Golfstat Cup in a season where she recorded eight top-10 finishes in nine events.

"Women's Golf is just getting started. I can't wait to get this team up and going," said Christianson. "We hope to be competing this spring and have a full roster by the fall of 2016."

Christianson has been a golf professional in the Greater New York Metropolitan area for the past nine years. During that time, he was the golf pro at two of the premier facilities in the region, if not the country, serving as the pro at Quaker Ridge Country Club in Scarsdale, N.Y. and Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y.

"The men's program has seen its share of success in recent years," said Christianson. "Having reached the NCAA Regionals in seven of the last eight years, we are on the brink of becoming a top program in Division II golf."

Before taking on coaching, Christianson was an accomplished player, twice finishing in the top-eight in the Metropolitan PGA Championship. In 2011, he was runner-up in the Westchester PGA Championship and played in both the PGA Professional National and National Assistants Championships.

In 2009, Christianson set a course record in the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship Pre-Qualifier, shooting a 65 at Bulls Bridge Golf Club in Kent, Conn.

A 2003 graduate of the University of West Florida, Joe was a member of the 2001 NCAA Division II National Championship team and twice selected an NCAA DII All-American. At UWF, he received his Bachelor's degree in Finance and was also named a Cleveland Golf Academic All-American. Christianson is currently in the process of finishing up his Masters in Sports Management from St John's University.

"I'm excited to be the next Head Golf Coach at AIC," said Christianson. "As I looked into the College, the athletic department and the golf programs, the more I saw a great opportunity. Big things are happening with Yellow Jacket athletics and I'm thrilled to be on board."

Information for this release provided by the American International Athletics Communications staff.

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