Scott Cartwright, men’s golf coach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, was named winner of the 2017 Labron Harris Sr. Award presented by the Golf Coaches Association of America in cooperation with the PGA of America.
The Harris Award is presented to the college or high school coach and PGA Professional whose support of the game through teaching, coaching and involvement in the community has helped ensure the continued growth of the game of golf and who represents the finest qualities the game has to offer.
“I am honored and humbled to be the 2017 Labron Harris Sr. Awards winner,” said Cartwright, who is a member of the Southern California PGA Section. I like so many of my fellow PGA Members and GCAA Member are builders … builders of pro-grams, builders of facilities, character builders, and builders of characters.
“To be recognized by my peers is quite fulfilling and I am very grateful. I have been fortunate to have been involved with so many great people both in the golf industry and outside the industry to help promote the Game of Golf. Thanks to the many PGA Members who aided in opening doors for new programs to develop. I will certainly strive to honor this award with continuing to grow the game.” Cartwright is in his 17th season as head coach of the men’s golf program at Cal Poly, which was resurrected in 2000. He also the women’s head golf coach from 2003-15.
A two-time Big West Conference Coach of the Year, Cartwright has led the Cal Poly men’s team to the NCAA West Regional twice and individuals in three other regionals.
Cartwright guided the Mustangs mens’ team to its first Big West Conference championship in 2006. He coached former Travis Bertoni to 11 career victories with the Mustangs, including the Big West individual title in 2005.
In 2011 under Cartwright, Geoff Gonzalez qualified for the NCAA finals, a first for a Cal Poly golfer.
Cartwright also has raised $15 million to endow the Cal Poly golf program. He has been in charge of development of golf facilities, oversees golfers academic progress and directed the team’s overall strength program.
For eight straight years Cal Poly has received a perfect 1000% APR recognition from the NCAA.
Cartwright played at Cal State Fullerton and graduated in 1981 with a major in physical education and a minor in business.
Before his coaching career at Cal Poly, Cartwright was head golf professional and director of golf at San Luis Obispo Country Club and earlier was head professional at Mountain View Country Club in Santa Paula.
Cartwright also founded and was director of San Luis Obispo County Junior Golf.
In 2002, he won the Southern California Section Match Play Championship and captured the Northern Chapter’s championship in 2009. Twice Cartwright was named the Northern Chapter’s Golf Professional of the Year.
