A former standout as a member of the Bearkat Golf Team (1995-1999), Head Coach Brandt Kieschnick took over the SHSU Golf Program on August 1, 2012 and has brought the winning tradition to the program and was awarded the 2021 Dave Williams National Coach of the Year.
Under the direction of Kieschnick, the Bearkats claimed consecutive Southland Conference Championships for the first time in program history, doing so in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The 2014 Southland Conference title was the first in 20 years for Sam Houston and occurred in just the second season under the new head man.
Coaching Success
- Named the 2021 Dave Williams National Coach of the Year
- Led Sam Houston State University to its 1st National Championship birth in 2021 finishing 9th at the NCAA Championship and 1 spot from Match-Play
- Led the Bearkats to its first top 20 National Ranking finishing the 2021 season at #16 in the Final National Rankings
- Led SHSU to 5 Southland Conference Championships (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021) -Led Sam Houston State University to its 1st Southland Conference Championship (2014) in 20 years -1st in school history to defend their Southland Conference Championship (2014-2015, 2018-2019) and 1st in school history to 3-peat (2018, 2019, 2021)
- Led Sam Houston State University to 1st NCAA Regionals appearance in 2014 – Auburn and has led SHSU to 5 Post-Season NCAA Regional Championships, 2014- NCAA Auburn Regional, 2015- NCAA Washington Regional -2018-NCAA Oklahoma Regionals, 2019-NCAA Texas Regionals, 2021-NCAA Stillwater Regional – 1st in school history to make NCAA Regionals back-to-back years (2014-2015, 2018, 2019,2021)
- Coached Southland Conference individual champions Zach Cabra- 2014, JT Taylor- 2015, Noah Steele-2019, Paul Chaplet-2021
- 5-time Southland Conference Coach of the Year (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021)
* 1st Coach to be named Southland Conference Coach of the Year (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019) and Southland Conference Player of the Year (1997, 1999)
- Guided the Bearkats to 25 Team titles & 24 Individual Titles
- Helped to Oversee and develop the state of the art, Robert and Erin Steele Golf Facility . . . which serves as a practice facility and home to the Bearkat Golf Teams
- Helped guide the team to SHSU Team Scoring Records: Low 18, 36, & 54 hole scoring records; Low 18, 36, & 54 Hole Individual Records
Player Development-
- 1-All-American (2021)
- 4- Ping All Region Selection
- 25 Team Titles
- 24 -Tournament Individual Medalists, 4- Southland Conference Championship Medalists
- 2- NCAA Regional Individual Qualifiers
- 1- U.S. Amateur Semi-Finalist
- 1 - Texas Amateur Champion
- 1 - Met Amateur Champion
- 1 - Danish Amateur Champion
- 4 - National Team Selections for their respected Country
- 43 - All Southland Conference Selections (19- 1st Team)
- 2- Southland Conference Player of the Year
- 2- WAC Conference Player of the Year
- 2- Southland Conference Student-Athlete of the Year
- 1- Southland Conference Freshman of the Year
- 1- WAC Freshman of the Year
- 4 -Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year
2023-24
After a slow start in the fall of 2023, the Bearkats had an great run of events in the Spring . . . The Kats consistently placed inside the top 3 in 5 of 6 Spring regular season events posting 1 win, 3 – Runner-up finishes and 1 -3rd place finish. . . The Kats won the Bentwater Intercollegiate by 17 shots in the 1st event of the Spring campaign . . . following their 5th place at the Border Olympics, the Bearkats went on a run of 3 straight runner-up finishes . . 2nd at Louisiana Classics battling Texas A&M . . .2nd at University of Houston All-American Intercollegiate losing by 2 shots to Texas Tech . . . 2nd at the Bridgestone Invitational in Napa falling to BYU . . . the Kats finished their regular season campaign with a 3rd place finish at the Texas A&M Aggie Invitational . . . The Kats finished 2nd in stroke play of their 1st Conference USA Conference Championship and would fall to Liberty in the Semi-finals of Match- Play . . . The Kats finished the season ranked #78 in the national rankings narrowly missing the post-season . . .Josh German recorded his 1st Collegiate win at the Bentwater Intercollegiate firing a final round 66 . . . Bret Gray tied for 1st at the All-American Intercollegiate before losing in a playoff . . . Bret Gray was selected to CUSA 1st Team All-Conference . . . Hugo Trommetter, Josh German, and Ting-Wei Hsieh were named to CUSA 2nd Team All-Conference Selection . . .Hugo Trommetter was named to the CUSA All-Conference All Freshman Team
2022-23
The Bearkats won 3 team titles including the Bayou City Collegiate firing -28 to win by 12 shots . . . The Kats won the Bearkat Walden Invitational by 26 shots with a -22 under performance .and took home the Bluejack Shootout vs University of Houston firing -30 for 36 holes . . The Bearkats finished 3rd at WAC Conference Championships with a -24 under performance . . . Sophomore, Bret Gray took home the Bayou City Collegiate title and the Bluejack Shootout for his 2nd and 3rd collegiate victory and qualified as an Individual to the NCAA Oklahoma Regional. . . Bret Gray was named WAC Player of the Year and brought home the Texas Amateur shortly after the season . . . Bret Gray was named to All-WAC 1st Team Selection and Jack Randle, Josh German, Kristoffer Max and Sam Mckenzie were named to All-WAC 2nd Team Selection . . . The Beakats finished the season ranked #67 in national ranking and missed at-large bid by 1 spot in the rankings
2021-22
Led the Bearkats to 2 Tournament Team Titles, winning their first event of the year at the Kansas State Invitational and brought home the Bentwater Intercollegiate . . . the Bearkats finished 2nd in their first WAC Conference Championship losing the title by 1 shot . . .Senior, Chad Sewell won the Bentwater Intercollegiate and was named WAC Conference Player of the Year! Frehsman, Bret Gray won his first collegiate title at the All-American Intercollegiate and Freshman, Gene Chaikangwal was named WAC Conference Freshman of the Year. . .3 Bearkats earned All-WAC 1st Team Selections: Chad Sewell, Bret Gray, and Gene Chaikangwal . . . the Bearkats finished the season ranked #72 just a few spots from an at-large birth to NCAA Regionals
2020-21
For the 1st time in school history, the Bearkats qualified for the NCAA National Championship finishing 9th in stroke play and 1 spot away from a Match-Play birth! Also, making history, the Bearkats finished the season ranked #16 in the final National Rankings . . .At the NCAA Stillwater Regional, the Bearkats entered the last day in 6th place and due to Covid Protocols were only allowed to play with 4 players in the final round! The Bearkats secured the 4th spot with just 4 players and a National Championship birth! . . .The Bearkats defended their Southland Conference Championship with a historic 3-peat win! For the year, the men won twice: Bayou City Collegiate, Southland Conference . . . Paul Chaplet carded two victories: Bayou City Collegiate, Southland Conference Championship . . . Will Holcomb and Paul Chaplet were named Co-Southland Conference Player of the Year….Will Holcomb, Paul Chaplet, Luis Carrera were named to All-Southland Conference 1st Team. . . Ting-Wei Hsieh was named to All-Southland Conference 2nd Team
2019-20
The Bearkats carded 3 wins: Sam Hall Intercollegiate, Bentwater Intercollegiate, All-American Intercollegiate. . . The Kats shot -24 to take down #4 Wake Forest and bring home the All-American title. . . Jack Randle to home his 1st collegiate title firing -11 to win the All-American Intercollegiate. . .The Bearkats set a program record of -33 to win the Sam Hall Intercollegiate and Noah Steele set a SHSU Record performance firing -18 to take home the Sam Hall Intercollegiate Individual Title. . . Noah Steele, also, brought home the Border Olympics title for his 2nd win of the season. . . Will Holcomb won the Bentwater Intercollegiate for his 1st collegiate victory. . . The season was cancelled in March due to the Covid Pandemic
2018-19
For the 2nd time in school history, the Bearkats successfully defended their Southland Conference Championship and have claimed the title 4 of last 6 years . . . 4 wins – Southland Conference Championship, All-American Intercollegiate, Huntsville Toyota Bearkat Invitational, Bayou City Collegiate . . . In 6 Spring events, the Bearkats won 4 titles and had 1 Runner-up finish . . . the team carded 6 top 5’s in 11 events . . . Noah Steele won the Southland Conference Individual Title . . . Will Holcomb was named Southland Conference Student Athlete of the Year . . . Noah Steele and Will Holcomb were named to 1st Team All Southland Conference Team . . . Luis Carrera selected Southland Conference Freshman of the Year . . . Jack Randle named to All Southland Conference Honorable Mention . . . Will Holcomb becomes 1st Bearkat to make Semi-Finals at U.S. Amateur . . . Noah Steele becomes 1st Bearkat named the Canada’s National Team
2017-18
Bearkats won the Southland Conference Championship for the 3rd time in 5 years . . . 3 Wins- Southland Conference Championship, Sam Hall Intercollegiate, Bearkat Invitational at Walden . . . 7 top 5 finishes in 11 events . . . Jake McCrory brought home 2nd Collegiate win at the Bearkat Invitational at Walden. . . 1st in school history to have 3 Bearkat Golfers named to 1st Team All Southland Conference – Will Holcomb, Jake McCrory, Noah Steele . . . Austen Christiansen named Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year
Selected to: NCAA Oklahoma Regional
2016-17 –
Bearkats had 4 top 5 finishes in 11 events highlighted by 2nd at Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational . . . 3rd at Southland Conference Championship . . .
2015-16-
Bearkats carded 4 top 5’s in 11 events highlighted by 2nd at Wyoming Cowboy Classic and 3rd at Southland Conference Championship . . . Jake McCrory carded his first collegiate win by firing -11 at Wyoming Cowboy Classic . . . Andrew Ertel selected to All Southland Conference 1st Team selection . . .Jake McCrory selected to 2nd Team All Southland Conference Team . . .Mason Weld selected to 3rd Team All Southland Conference Team
2014-2015-
Bearkats’ Southland Conference Championship came behind the lowest stroke average in program history (288.7), more than a stroke lower than the previous school mark of 289.9 set in 1986-87. . .3 Wins – Wisconsin Badger Invitational, SHSU Harold Funston Intercollegiate, Southland Conference Championship
Selected to: NCAA Washington Regional
The SLC championship was highlighted by a Day 3 comeback to edge out McNeese State and send Sam Houston to the Washington Regional at the Olympic Course at Gold Mountain. During the regular season, the Kats took part in 11 tournaments, all against top caliber NCAA Division I opponents. Sam Houston won three events, finished as runner-up twice and third once. Individually, Zach Cabra was named to the 2015 PING NCAA Division I All-Central Region men’s golf honor squad by the Golf Coaches Association of America. The senior was also honored as the Southland Conference men’s golf “Student-Athlete of the Year.”Cabra, alongside J.T. Taylor were named to the conference’s men’s golf all-academic team, as Sam Houston was the only school with multiple honorees.
2013-2014-
Kieschnick led the Kats to their first Southland Conference Championship in 20 years and their 1st NCAA Regionals appearance as a team in school history. 3 Wins- Jim Colbert Intercollegiate, SHSU Harold Funston Intercollegiate, Southland Conference Championship
Selected to: NCAA Auburn Regional . . .Sam Houston narrowly missed out on qualifying for the National Championship, coming up five shots shy of advancing from the Auburn Regional. The men took home some early season hardware at the Jim Colbert Intercollegiate hosted by Kansas State and the SHSU Harold Funston Invitational. In addition, Zach Cabra claimed medalist honors at the Southland Conference Championship to go with his victories at the Jim Colbert Intercollegiate and SHSU Harold Funston Invitational. Cabra, also, set the lowest SHSU season scoring average of 72 along with an SHSU 18-hole record of 62 at Southern Miss. Cabra was the first Bearkat selected to the prestigious Ping-All Region Team.Senior Albert Miner earned First-Team All-Conference for the second year in a row and claimed the UALR First Tee Classic medalist honors for his second career victory. Freshman Klein Klotz recorded the lowest Bearkat finish at the NCAA Regionals, finishing tied for third with a low final round of 66. In the classroom the Bearkat men posted one of their highest GPA’s in program history, finishing the year with a team GPA of 3.35.
2012-13-
Kieschnick’s first year as the men’s golf coach, the team recorded two first place team championships, at the ULM Wallace Jones Invitational and the SHSU Harold Funston Invitational. To go along with the wins, the men recorded three second place team finishes at the College of Charleston Shootout, Carter Plantation Intercollegiate, and SFA Crown Classic. Coach Kieschnick also helped guide junior Albert Miner to seven top-10 finishes, first-team All-Southland Conference, and a win at the ULM Wallace Jones Invitational. In addition, Kieschnick helped guide Micah Hill to first-place Medalist at the SHSU Harold Funston Invitational. Three other Bearkat men’s golfers earned Southland Conference honors with sophomore Logan Boatner earning Newcomer of the Year, Justin McKay earning third-team honors, and JT Taylor selected as an honorable mention.
Brandt Kieschnick Bio:
Prior to returning to his alma mater, Kieschnick played professional golf from 1999-2003 competing on the Adams Tight Lies Tour, Hooters Tour, Teardrop Tour, and Prairie Tour. In 1999, Kieschnick claimed the season-ending Prairie Tour Championship in Alvamar, Kansas. He recorded several top-10 finishes on the professional circuit including a third place finish in his first pro event at the 1999 Adams Tight Lies Tour event at Weston Lakes. He participated in three PGA Tour Qualifying School advancing to second stage in 2001 and followed the Monday qualifiers on both PGA Tour and Web.com Tour.
After professional golf, Brandt became the Assistant Golf Coach at Sam Houston State University from 2003-2005 where he led the women’s team to three team victories and their first Southland Conference Championship in 2004. Kieschnick coached two conference medalists in same year with women’s golfer Raman Saran claiming the 2004 Southland Conference tournament medalist and men’s golfer Robert Jefferson winning the 2004 Southland Conference tournament medalist, beating Chris Stroud in a playoff.
From 2005-2012, Brandt became the Assistant Golf Professional at Whispering Pines Golf Club, the No. 1 Golf Club in Texas. During his tenure he became a PGA Member and managed the golf operation, taught lessons and junior golf, hired and trained staff, and conducted tournaments. As a Southern Texas PGA member, Kieschnick continued to compete in tournaments at a high level and became one of the top playing PGA Professionals. In 2006 and 2010, Brandt qualified for the PGA National Assistant’s Championship conducted at PGA Golf Club in Florida. Kieschnick qualified for the 2011 National Club Professional Championship and competed at Hershey C.C. in Hershey, Penn. As the PGA of America’s premier event, the tournament was televised on the Golf Channel. In 2010, Brandt won the 2010 STPGA Match-Play Championship, a STPGA Major event, and competed in the 2007, 2009, 2011 Texas State Open. 2010 and 2011 saw Brandt finish the season in top-10 STPGA Playing Points List.
As a Bearkat Golfer, Kieschnick ranks second at SHSU with five career tournament victories including three wins his senior season (‘99 Southland Championship Co-Medalist, 1998 Baylor Invitational, and 1998 SFA Crown Classic). Along with his 1999 Southland Conference Individual medalist title and he was Southland Conference individual runner-up in 1996 and 1997.
Kieschnick holds a school record for being the only two-time Southland Conference “Player of the Year” in 1997 and 1999 as well as being the only two-time Division-1 NCAA Regional individual selection. Kieschnick competed at the NCAA Central Regional hosted by University of Oklahoma at the Jimmie Austin Golf Club in 1997 and at the NCAA Central Region hosted by Ohio State at the OSU Scarlet Course in 1999.
Kieschnick is one of only three men’s golfers in Sam Houston history to earn All-Southland honors each of his four years of competition (1996-1999) with a school record of three first-team selections (1996, 1997, 1999) and one second-team selection (1998).
Kieschnick led the SHSU team with a 73.4 stroke average in 1997 and a 73.6 in 1999. He is tied for the school record low 54-hole tournament score of 206 (-10 under) (1998 Rice Intercollegiate).
In 2008, Brandt Kieschnick was inducted into the Sam Houston Lettermen's Hall of Honor.
The Bay City product claimed the 1994 Texas Class-4A State individual championship as a junior and almost went back-to-back after tying for first in 1995 Texas Class-4A State individual championship before losing a playoff to Mark McEntire, now the head men’s golf coach at College of Charleston. After graduating high school in 1995, Kieschnick qualified for the Texas State Open, a professional event, and made the cut as an amateur. Later that summer, he won the local Houston qualifying and made it to the “Centennial” 1995 U.S Amateur Championship in Newport, Rhode Island where he was paired with Tiger Woods the first two rounds.
Coaching Experience
2012-present: SHSU Head Golf Coach
2003-2005: SHSU Assistant Golf Coach
Assistant Coach (2003-2005)
· Coached Bearkat Women to 1st Southland Conference Team Championship, 2004
· Coached the 2004 Southland Conference Men's Individual Champion, Robert Jefferson and
2004 Southland Conference Women’s Individual Champion, Raman Saran
· Led Bearkat Women’s Team to 3 Team Wins as Assistant Golf Coach, 2003-2005
Amateur Golf
· 1993 South Texas Junior Golf Classic Champion
· 1994 4A Texas State High School Individual Champion
· 1994 4A Regional Champion, 4A District Champion
· 1995 4A Texas State High School Individual Runner-up (lost Playoff), 4A District Champion
· 1995 Texas State Open – first pro event, made cut as Amateur
· 1995 U.S. Amateur participant (Newport C.C.)- paired with Tiger Woods first 2 rounds
· 1997, 1998 U.S. Public Links Championship Participant(Kearney Hill Golf Links, Torrey Pines GC)
· 1997 Southern Amateur Participant (Mira Vista C.C.)
· 1998 STGA Inaugural South Texas Amateur Champion
College Golf (1995-1999)
· Won 5 Division 1 Tournaments (t-2nd in SHSU history)
1996-97 - Elkins Lake Fall Invitational, Waterwood Spring Invitational
1998-99- Greg May Honda Baylor Invitational, SFA Crown Classic, Southland Conference Championship-Co-Medalist (t-3rd for most wins in Season, SHSU history)
· 2-time NCAA Regional Individual Qualifier 1997- Jimmie Austin GC, 1999- OSU-Scarlet Course, (most in SHSU history)
· 2-time Southland Conference Player of the Year, 1997 and 1999 (most in SHSU history)
· 4-Time All-Southland Conference Team
· 3-Time Southland Conference 1st Team All-Conference Selection (1996, 1997, 1999) – (t-1st in SHSU history)
· 1-Time Southland Conference 2nd Team Selection (1998)
· T-1st in SHSU School Record, lowest 54 hole Total – 206
· Low Team Individual Stroke Average – 1997-98- 73.4, 1998-99- 73.6
· 2008, Inducted in SHSU Hall of Honor
Professional Golf
· 1999-2003 – Played professionally on Adams Tight Lies Tour, Hooters Tour, Teardrop Tour, Prairie Tour, PGA Tour and Web.Com Qualifiers
· 1999 – Won – Prairie Tour Championship – Alvamar, KS
· Competed in Texas State Open (1995, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2011); Colorado Open (2001, 2002, 2004), Oklahoma Open (2001), Kansas Open (1999, 2000)
· Numerous Top 10’s on Adams Tight Lies Tour including 3rd place in 1st Pro Event – Adams Tour-Weston Lakes (1999)
· Competed in 3 PGA Tour Qualifying Schools (1999-2001), advanced to 2nd Stage in 2001 (Deerwood GC)
· As a PGA Class A Member competed in:
- 2011 PGA Club Professional Championship – Hershey CC, Hershey, PA
- 2006 and 2010 PGA National Assistants Championship – PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, FL
· 2010 Southern Texas PGA Match-Play Champion
· 2010 and 2011 STPGA Top 10 Points List
Personal Information
Brandt Kieschnick graduated from SHSU in 1999 earning a degree in history with a minor in business. He resides in Huntsville with his wife, Stephenie (SHSU Class of 2002), and two boys, Paxton and Preston. |
