Springfield native Kent Starkey will now head the Benedictine University at Springfield Men's and Women's Golf programs, effective August 2014.

Kent takes over for his son, Ted Starkey, who stepped down earlier in 2014 to focus on full-time job duties at the Bank of Springfield. "Usually the son follows in the father's footsteps, but this is a little opposite of that," Kent said of taking over the program. Ted will still serve as volunteer assistant to both programs as his father had for him the last two seasons. "I am fortunate to still have Ted's counsel and love of the game to continue to help us."

Starkey is a graduate of Culver-Stockton College (Canton, Missouri) and has been active in youth golf coaching in the greater Springfield area for numerous years. He has coached and assisted with higher education and intercollegiate programs on a number of occasions. Kent's main objective is to continue to grow both programs here at BenU Springfield, as he has ties to many of the area high school and junior college programs.