Utley Resigns As Columbia College Golf Coach

Columbia College head men’s and women’s golf coach John Utley has announced his resignation, effective at the end of July. Utley spent nine years at the helm of both programs after being named the school’s first-ever coach in the summer of 2012.

Utley led the women’s team to their best season in 2016-17 as the Cougars won three out of nine tournaments and finished second at the AMC Golf Championships. That season resulted in the Cougar’s first individual AMC Champions and their first-ever competitor at the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships.

Utley led the men’s team to their highest team finish in the AMC, in 2021, as the Cougars placed as the runner-up. The Cougars had three golfers finish in the top-10.

Michelle Butler, who has served as an assistant coach since 2017-18, has been promoted to the interim head coach for the upcoming season. Butler came to Columbia College after a standout career at the University of Missouri, where she finished with the lowest stroke average in program history at 72.50. A search for Utley’s replacement will begin in early spring.