Christopher “Harry” Stokes was named head coach of the Bethune-Cookman women’s golf program in July 2022 and has steadily guided the Wildcats back into championship contention within the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
In just a few short seasons, Stokes has made a significant impact on the program’s success. He was named SWAC Co-Coach of the Year in 2024 after leading the Wildcats to a runner-up finish at the conference championship, marking the program’s highest finish under his leadership. Bethune-Cookman has remained a consistent contender, placing third at the SWAC Championships in both 2023 and 2025, while also capturing the team title at the 2023 SWAC Fall Invitational. Individually, Stokes has coached several standout performers, including 2024 SWAC Individual Medalist Katie Robinson and 2026 All-SWAC Second Team selections Reese Wilson and Lathika Krishna.
“We’re extremely excited to have Coach Stokes here at B-CU,” said Director of Athletics Reggie Theus. “He comes from a long line of golf professionals and coaches and understands what it takes to be successful both on and off the course.”
A fourth-generation golf professional, Stokes brings a deep-rooted passion and knowledge of the game. His uncle, Robert Schwab, is a longtime golf professional in New Smyrna Beach, Florida; his grandfather, Pat Schwab, served as head coach at Jacksonville University and was a longtime tour club professional and member of the New Jersey PGA Hall of Fame; and his great-grandfather, Harry Schwab, captured the 1953 Senior PGA Championship and spent many years as a golf professional in Dayton, Ohio.
Stokes’ own playing and professional experience includes time on the Florida Professional Golf Tour, as well as competition within the North Florida PGA (NFPGA) and Mid-Atlantic PGA (MAPGA) sections. He has also served as a PGA Associate Member and assistant golf professional at Maryland Golf and Country Clubs in Bel Air, Maryland, and Sugar Mill Country Club in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
“I’m really excited about the direction of our program,” Stokes said. “Bethune-Cookman has long been regarded as one of the top HBCU programs in the country, and we’re continuing to build toward competing for championships year in and year out.”
