Mac Sykes enters his five season as Head Men's Golf Coach of the Battling Bishops. Sykes, a Conway, NC native and an NCWU alum, was a volunteer assistant for two seasons for the Battling Bishop Golf Team and filled in for Greg Ripke during the shortened spring season in 2020.
“We are thrilled for Mac continuing to be a vital part of our staff,” said Denton. “He is an outstanding coach and contiunes to be a great asset to Wesleyan. The fact that he is a Wesleyan alum and part of our winning tradition as well as his work with previous teams and coach Ripke makes him special. Mac is one of the best I’ve seen at building and maintaining relationships with people and that serves our students and University very well.”
"It is a tremendous honor as an alum to represent the University and program as the Head Golf Coach," commented Sykes. "I want to thank Gregg for his friendship and guidance over the years, as he left the program in great hands.
Sykes also enjoyed working with the four golf alumnus that made it to the national tournament: Grady Anderson, Mariano Silvestri, Luke Thornton and Dustin Wood, as he had a great relationship with them all.
Sykes is looking most forward to "practicing and working with the team on the range and course this season. I really enjoyed working with the student-athletes and it is what keeps me going".
Sykes was a 1980 graduate of NC Wesleyan with a B.A. in History and was a 4 year letter winner for the Bishops. While as a Bishop, Mac was the MVP of the golf team in 1977 while also winning the Benny Goodrich Memorial Award and the Senior Award in 1980. Sykes was also named a 2x Dixie Conference All-Academic Team Member during his tenure with the Bishops.
Mac’s family includes wife Tracy and two adult children including son, Cameron, and daughter, Rebecca.
