Danny Forshey is in his third year as Director of Golf at Bethune-Cookman University, rapidly enhancing the program’s proud tradition as one of the nation’s most competitive programs.
Since being named to the position by BCU Vice President For Intercollegiate Athletics Lynn W. Thompson on August 22,2017, Forshey has overseen a combined 16 tournament victories – nine by the men and seven by the women – while continuing an impressive run at the PGA National Minority Golf Championships. The men won the 2018 title by 57 shots and the women by 27 strokes.
Forshey hit the ground running at BCU in 2017, hitting the recruiting trail to bring in athletes who would make an immediate impact. The Spring 2018 season saw the Wildcat men win a program record five tournaments. The Lady Wildcat team, who only had two players when Forshey arrived, finished with three tournament titles.
“We’ve been blessed by immediate success and hope to sustain that winning tradition,” Forshey said. “There’s a lot of positive energy and excitement here.”
“It’s just humbling. I played golf for a living for 15 years, but over the past few years, my passion for coaching started overtaking my passion for playing the sport, added Forshey. “I get chills just thinking about the fact that I’m the Director of Golf…at Bethune-Cookman University…in Daytona Beach, Florida.”
The veteran coach and former Professional Golfers Association (PGA) tour player came to Bethune-Cookman after spending the 2016-17 athletic year as the head coach for the men’s and women’s golf programs at Alcorn State University.
In his short stint at the helm of the Braves programs for men’s and women’s golf, Forshey helped the Lorman, Mississippi based institution to a historic season. He was named the 2017 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Coach of the Year after guiding the Braves to their highest-ever finish at the SWAC Championships on the men’s side. Additionally, Forshey coached Daniel Racioppa to the SWAC individual title and first-ever NCAA Regional appearance in school history.
“We feel confident that he is the right choice to lead our program as we continue our legacy of winning championships in both our men’s and women’s golf programs,” Thompson said. “He is a family man who will teach far more than golf to our students. His approach to life and golf will add a layer of accountability to our program and provide a platform of confidence and excellence for our young Wildcats to stand upon."
Prior to his stint at Alcorn State, Forshey enjoyed a 15-year professional playing career that included 17 professional golf victories. He participated in the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Canada, Web.com Tour, Gateway Tour and Hooters Tour.
In addition, Forshey has directed his own golf academy since 2013, lifting the game of his students in aspects of preparation via detailed, structured and consistent practice routines; mental techniques that he learned throughout his playing career, and time management in order to maximize their practice schedule.
He also spent time on the Emerald Coast Tour and SGA and NGA Tour from 1997-1999. There, Forshey was responsible for managing his own travel plans and budget, both necessities in heading a Division I program. These stops allowed Forshey key opportunities and experiences gleaned ning from some of golf's finest while also learning many drills and techniques to improve mechanical and mental parts of the game.
A product of Amridge University, Forshey is married to wife Lindsey. Together, the couple have two kids – daughter, Hailey (15) and son, Ryan (10).
“This was the perfect time in my career, partnered with the historic program already established here at Bethune-Cookman,” Forshey said. “I’ve heared about Bethune-Cookman Golf for years. And now, I have the opportunity to work with such a great program.”
