Virginia Union University will host its first annual E. Lee Coble Golf Tournament on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Lakeside Park Club (1700 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228) as part of this year’s Homecoming events. The inaugural event is named in honor of VUU’s Head Golf Coach, E. Lee Coble.
“We are beyond excited to begin this tradition, honoring our decorated Head Golf Coach,” said Hakim J. Lucas, VUU’s President and CEO. “Under Coach Coble’s leadership, our golf team has seen a groundbreaking, record-setting season, that I believe will only get better as the team moves forward.”
Coach Coble began serving as Head Golf Coach of VUU in 2014, leading the VUU golf team to record-setting seasons. In his almost ten years at the university, Coble has recruited 13 student athletes to the men’s collegiate golf team, with notable historic firsts:
- 2017: VUU hosted the 2017-18 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championship – a first in the University’s history
- 2017 – VUU hosted The Virginia State Golf Association Intercollegiate Championship, the first HBCU to host in the 68-year history of this tournament.
- 2017: Won the CIAA Southern and Northern Division Championships
- 2018: Won the VSGA Intercollegiate State Championship – becoming the first HBCU to play and win in the VSGAs 69-year history
- 2019: Won the CIAA Championship for the first time in 48 years
- 2019-2022: Won the Golf Coaches of America’s HBCU Highest GPA Award
- 2022: Won CIAA Northern Division Championship • 2022: Received a $10,000 grant from United Airlines and PGA Tour
- 2022: Won the Inaugural River City Collegiate Classic – the first CIAA HBCU Invitational
Coach Coble brings tremendous value to Virginia Union University and the Intercollegiate Athletics and Community Wellness (IACW) Department. He is highly respected throughout the golf world (United States Golf Association, (USGA) and Professional Golfers Association (PGA) and the Virginia State golf Association (VSGA) as a Former President),” said Joe Taylor, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Coble also serves as the Assistant Director for Student-Athletes Academic Support in the athletics department, where his goal is to ensure that students receive their degrees. Of the 13 student-athletes recruited to the collegiate team, all have graduated. The team has a 3.73 overall grade point average.
- With an athletic career spanning over 50 years, Coble has received numerous honors including: • Being named Outstanding Leader in Golf – African American Golfer’s Digest
- Named 2017 CIAA Coach of the Year
- Elected to serve two terms as President of the CIAA Golf Committee
- Elected to the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee and
- being an invitee to play in the PGA Dominion Energy Pro-Am Championship in 2016, 2017 and 2021
“I was deeply touched when Dr. Lucas announced a golf tournament in his name to occur simultaneously with Homecoming on an annual basis. Hard work does not go unnoticed, and I am very proud of him and the University. With his leadership, this will become one of the largest golf tournaments on the East Coast-see you at the Tee!,” Taylor added.
“As an African American kid, I didn’t know what I was getting into when I chose the game of golf,” said Coble. “In the decades since, I realized that I wanted to have an impact on the game. Having the opportunity to be the Head Golf Coach at Virginia Union University has brought that hope to fruition. This tournament is recognition of what can be accomplished when you dream. I am grateful to Dr. Hakim Lucas, Joe Taylor, and the entire Virginia Union University community for this honor.” For more information, contact Coach Coble, elcoble@vuu.edu, or by phone 804-257-5677
Proceeds benefit the Virginia Union University Mens Golf Team.
