Randy Wexter has been named the head coach of the Purdue University Northwest men’s and women’s golf programs, as announced by PNW Director of Athletics-Designate Rick Costello.
Wexter completed his second spring season with the Purdue Calumet men’s golf team in 2016, after taking over the program in March 2015. Wexter has also served as the prime recruiter — signing five recruits thus far — for the athletic department’s newest varsity sport, women’s golf, set to debut this fall.
“Coach Wexter has shown immediate dedication and leadership of the Purdue Calumet men’s program, and we look forward to his development of both the men’s and women’s programs as we transition to Purdue Northwest,” Costello said. “The golf programs are in excellent hands with Coach Wexter."
Added Tom Albano, PNW Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance-Designate: “Randy has done a fine job at the helm of Purdue Calumet’s men’s golf program in addition to building a strong foundation for the launch of the women’s team this fall.
“I am excited to see what successes lie ahead for our Pride student-athletes under Randy’s stellar guidance.”
Wexter came to Purdue Calumet after 24 years as a Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Professional at Calumet Country Club in Homewood, Ill. He also held Director of Golf, General Manager, and Consulting General Manager positions during his tenure at Calumet C.C.
He wasted no time in aiding the continued rise of the Purdue Calumet men’s golf program, as he led the 2014-15 squad to new program records in team 36-hole round (609) and oversaw then-sophomore Patrick Mudd’s shattering of the school’s 18-hole record with a new mark of 71. Mudd went on to capture Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Golfer of the Week honors and later won two events over the summer, including the Gary Amateur and Aberdeen Open.
This past season, he led the Peregrines to its first-ever team title, as Purdue Calumet captured the Indiana East Spring Invitational championship in April with a two-day score of 646.
Off the course, Wexter oversaw Mudd’s academic excellence, as the junior earned his first NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete award and was named the department’s Howard B. Cohen Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
“I’m very excited to move forward with the golf programs at PNW,” Wexter said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue to be a part of a growing department and look to bring Purdue Northwest golf to a higher standard.”
In addition to his coaching duties, Wexter also serves as the Director of Instruction at SPG Green Garden Golf Academy in Frankfort, Ill., where he teaches golfers of all ages.
Purdue Northwest’s addition of women’s golf was made possible thanks to the generous donation by Barb and Burney Fischer, Northwest Indiana natives and longtime friends of Mike Lalaeff, of whom the donation was made in his honor.
The contributions of the Mike Lalaeff Estate supporting both golf teams, including scholarships and an annual invitational tournament, all honor Lalaeff – a Hammond resident who was a pillar of the golf community in Northwest Indiana. The former teacher and 1966 Hammond-Times Calumet District amateur golf tournament champion competed on the Indiana University golf team and was inducted into the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
The Purdue Northwest Pride golf teams will begin play in the fall and play their championships seasons in Spring 2017.