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After spending 12 years playing on the PGA Tour, John Inman returned home - to his home state and to his alma mater. Entering his 11th year as head coach, Inman continues to bring enthusiasm, pride, and experience to the Tar Heel program. "John Inman is running a first class program at UNC," says Athletic Director Dick Baddour. "His knowledge of the game and his experience on the PGA Tour make him an exceptional teacher and coach. John has a passion for Carolina and the golf program and his team reflects that passion." Inman, a native of Greensboro, N.C., and a 1984 graduate of Carolina, came to Chapel Hill from Roswell, Ga., where he lived for nine years while playing on the PGA Tour. Inman turned professional after he graduated from Carolina and played on the PGA Tour for 12 years (1987-1998). He won two tournaments during his pro career - the 1987 Provident Classic and the 1993 Buick Southern Open. He also posted eight top-10 finishes and 32 top-25 finishes. "I've enjoyed my first decade as the head coach at my alma mater," said Inman last year on commemorating a decade as head golf coach at Carolina. "I look forward to continuing to build our teams into contenders at the conference and national level. Carolina is one of the top academic institutions and with UNC Finley Golf Course and the Chapman Center, we have some of the finest facilities in the country. It's thrilling to be a part of it." Inman brings a plethora of college playing experience to his duties as coach. He was a three-time All-America (1982-84) and three-time All-ACC performer (1982-84) while on the Tar Heel team from 1981-84. He won the NCAA Individual Championship in 1984 and was the recipient of the 1984 Fred Haskins Award as the National Player of the Year. Inman's score of 17-under-par in the NCAA Championship broke Ben Crenshaw's NCAA record by two strokes. That record, set at Houston's Bear Creek Golf World, was tied three times before it was broken in 2000 by Charles Howell, of Oklahoma State, who fired a 23-under-par. Inman, a member of the 1984 World Amateur Team and the 1984 Western Amateur Champion, won five tournaments while at Carolina. In addition to the 1984 NCAA Championship, he was the individual medalist at the 1981 Methodist Invitational, the 1982 ACC Tournament, the 1982 Forest Hills Invitational and the 1983 Augusta College Invitational. While Inman was a member of the Carolina team, the Tar Heels captured 15 team titles, including three ACC championships (1981, 1983 and 1984). They participated in the NCAA Championship in all four of Inman's years, posting three top-10 finishes. Carolina's top NCAA finish during Inman's career came in `84 when the team posted a fourth-place finish. Since taking the helm at Carolina, the Tar Heels have won 13 team championships and eight players have captured 15 individual titles. Carolina won the ACC Championship in 2006, its 11th in school history, and two Tar Heels captured the ACC individual championship, in 2002 and 2003. When Carolina won the conference title in 2006, Inman became the first person to win the ACC title as a player (1982) and a coach. In addition, Carolina posted a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Championship in 2003, 10th-place finishes in 1999 and 2000 and a 17th-place finish in 2002 and 2006. Also, Dustin Bray became the winningest Tar Heel in school history, with seven wins, under Inman's tutelage. Sophomore Kevin O'Connell has already reached high marks while playing for Inman. As a freshman, O'Connell was selected to the All-Freshman Team, All-Region, Third Team All-America, and most notably the ACC Freshman of the Year. While at Carolina, Inman has honed his game by competing in the New Zealand Open for six years (1999-2004). He carded four top-40 finishes including a tie for 13th place in 2004 and a tie for 38th place in 2002. With nine holes to play in the 2004 event, Inman pulled within two shots of the leader to become the top American finisher in the tournament. Inman has also played in several Buy.com and PGA Tour events since 1998. Inman is married to the former Patti Arnold from Rochester, Mich. They reside in Durham. |
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