Megan Radaz '22 Named Women's Golf Head Coach

"She is going to do a fantastic job meeting our mission and leading our women's golf program," Director of Athletics Tim Schoonveld says

Megan Radaz '22 has been named as Hope College's seventh women's golf coach, Director of Athletics Tim Schoonveld announced.

Radaz, who leads the Flying Dutch following Greg Stafford's retirement this month, is exactly who the college eyed for a head coach, Schoonveld said.

"We are so excited to have Megan as our women's golf head coach. She was a great player and teammate who left a tremendous mark on Hope College and our women's golf program. Her life was shaped by this place," Schoonveld said. "She is dedicated to building strong, confident women who love the Lord and excel in the classroom and on the golf course. As we have watched her as our associate coach, it became very clear that she was the right person to lead this program. She is going to do a fantastic job meeting our mission and leading our women's golf program."

Radaz has excelled on the links as a golfer and a coach.

The former All-MIAA golfer for the Flying Dutch coached with Stafford last fall as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to that, she served as Holland Christian High School's head varsity girls coach for two seasons.

"I am beyond grateful to Tim, Lindsey, and the athletic department for this opportunity," Radaz said. "Hope Athletics has a rich history of truly pouring into and living out its mission of academic success, competitive excellence, and transformational experiences well. Hope College and Hope Athletics have had a tremendous impact on my life; it is a true honor to get the opportunity to lead the program and be a part of fostering life-enriching experiences for other young women. I cannot wait to continue to build upon the culture of Hope Athletics and the Women's Golf program building champions on the course, in the classroom, in life, and most importantly for Christ."

Radaz served as the head girls golf coach at Holland Christian during the 2022 and 2023 fall seasons, and guided the Maroons to a 15th-place finish at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 state championships in 2022.

Radaz also coached four Holland Christian golfers to all-conference honors.

Returning to her alma mater, Radaz follows previous head coaches: Stafford (2009-24), Eva Dean Folkert (2005-08), Tom Smith (2001-04), Sam Bedrosian (2000), Donna Eaton (1998-99) and Jane Holman (1991-97).

"I am forever grateful for Staff's mentorship in my life," Radaz said. "He was there to celebrate some of my best days on the course and walked alongside me through some of my hardest days off. He was a driver in encouraging me to pursue coaching after graduation. It is pretty surreal that this is how it turned out, I couldn't be more grateful and excited."

As a student-athlete, Radaz earned All-MIAA Women's Golf Second Team honors as a senior in 2021. The business major was a four-year letterwinner. Radaz also minored in communication and leadership at Hope.

Stafford announced his retirement earlier today after 16 seasons, four MIAA championships and three Top-11 finishes at the NCAA Division III Championships.

Stafford is thrilled Radaz will guide the Flying Dutch.

"The program is in very capable hands," Stafford said. "One of Hope's own will lead this program to new levels of excellence both on and off the course."

Print Friendly Version