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Head coach Steve Desimone, now in his 30th year at the helm of California Men's Golf for 2008-09, is the man largely responsible for the level of success enjoyed by the Golden Bears program. The 2004 season was magical for Desimone as the veteran coach was able to achieve the ultimate prize - the NCAA Men's Golf Championship. It was through his hard work and dedication that the Cal Golf program was in a position to win a National Championship.
Cal produced one of the greatest stories in the history of NCAA golf in 2004, coming back from eight strokes down to UCLA in the final day to win by six strokes over the Bruins. It was the culmination of a season in which the Bears had to overcome several injuries, but they were able to play the best golf when it meant the most - at the NCAA Championship. As a result of his team's impressive accomplishment, Desimone was named Golfweek Magazine's Collegiate Coach of the Year, and was honored as 2004 Grand Master of the Year by the Northern California Golf Association.
The Bears' program has made tremendous strides since the spring of 1980. It went from a club sport in the early '80s to one of the elite golf programs in the country, having won over 30 tournament titles under Desimone's leadership. Cal has now competed in 12 NCAA Western Regional Championships and five NCAA Championships (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004), including back-to-back-to-back appearances from 1998 through 2000.
Desimone graduated from Cal in 1970 after playing for the Bears' men's basketball team as an undergraduate. He then served in the United States military before returning to Cal to complete a double major in history and physical education and earning his Master's degree in Physical Education. Upon leaving Cal, Desimone became the Athletic Director at the College Preparatory School in Oakland where he remained until 1988. Desimone eventually returned to Cal in 1980 as head coach, and from 1980 to 1988, shared responsibilities between the University and the College Preparatory School. In 1989, Desimone moved to Cal on a full-time basis.
When Desimone came aboard as head coach in 1980, he was intent on taking Cal Golf to a higher level. The first steps taken were to form the Cal Golf Committee in 1980, the primary support group for the golf team, and to return the program from a club team to NCAA status, which was accomplished in 1982. Soon after, Desimone began crafting Cal into the nationally respected golf program it has become today. In addition to developing a winning program, he has helped produce seven All-Americans (Ben Furth, Charlie Wi, Garrett Larson, Dan Arroyo, Han Lee, Jeff Hood and last, Peter Tomasulo, who was selected twice in 2003 and 2004) and seven All-America Scholars (Furth, Bill Albers, Dan Coyle, Walter Chun, Scott Carlyle, Tomasulo, and Michael Wilson - Furth, Albers, Chun, Carlyle, Tomasulo and Wilson were each selected twice). Carlyle was also selected a first team Academic All-American in 2004.
By 1986-87, Desimone had Cal ranked among the Top 25 teams in the nation for the first time in the history of the program. One outstanding performance that season was a dramatic comeback at San Diego State's Frank Scott Memorial Tournament. Trailing fourth-ranked Fresno State by 17 shots going into the final round, the Bears rallied to win their first major championship in 17 years. Cal's success that year helped Desimone win the honor of Pacific-10 Conference Co-Coach of the Year.
During the outstanding 1989-90 season, Desimone brought the Bears golf program to an unprecedented level. The team earned its first NCAA playoff berth in 26 years. Cal competed in the 1964 tournament, but earned its first actual berth in 1990 after the NCAA switched to a selection/qualifying format. Cal played in 13 tournaments that year, placing among the Top 10 in all but two, including three team titles and a third-place tie at the Pac-10 Championships. In addition, the Bears were ranked among the Top 20 teams in the nation throughout the season. The major contributor to the Bears success that year was Cal Golf's first All-American and a Cal Sports Hall of Famer - Ben Furth.
The following season came to a disappointing conclusion for Desimone and the Bears. A career-ending back injury to Furth brought to an end the hope that 1990-91 would surpass Cal's great season the preceding year. Off the course, however, another important step in the rebuilding of Cal Golf was undertaken. With the generous support of the Cal Golf Committee, a small amount of financial aid was offered to incoming student athletes for the first time in 15 years. This was a critical step because it finally demonstrated the Bears were committed to competing nationally in all respects.
The 1994-95 season stands as the second best in the history of Cal Golf. The team finished second to Arizona State at the Pac-10 championships, being selected for its third berth in the NCAA Western Regional in six years. The Bears qualified for the NCAA Championships in Columbus, Ohio, and finished that great season with a sixth-place at the finals. Leading the way was Charlie Wi, 1995 Pac-10 Champion and First-Team All-American.
In February 2008, Desimone had the honor of watching three of his former golfers - Wi, Tomasulo and Michael Wilson - compete as professionals at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on the Monterey Peninsula. It was the second time he had three golfers participate in the event.
In addition to his current duties at Cal, Desimone is the Manager of the University of California Golf Club, a 130-member Associate Club of the Northern California Golf Association, and is a member of the Ping Advisory Committee for college golf. He has served twice on the NCAA Pacific Region Selection Committee for the NCAA Western Regional (1991-93, 2002-04) and served on the campus-wide NCAA Self-Certification Committee in the mid-90s.
Desimone lives in Orinda with his wife, Linda. They have two children, Kim, who graduated in the spring of 2006 from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, and Robert, who will graduate in May from Northern Michigan University.
Cal at the NCAA Championships under Steve Desimone 1995 - Sixth 1998 - 15th 1999 - 16th 2000 - 17th 2004 - National Champions
