Alongside of these ground breaking athletes, is the new head coach Rick Bidnick. Bidnick comes to Virginia Wesleyan from the Western Branch area of Chesapeake. This is his first year coaching at Virginia Wesleyan College. He is also a Golf coach for Nansemond Suffolk Academy. Bidnick has built quite the resume in golf since his collegiate days at Christopher Newport University, where he was named an All-American in 1986. Bidnick also competed for the NCAA Division III National Championship in 1986 and 1987, and with those accomplishments he was immortalized in Christopher Newport University history as a Hall of Fame athlete.
After BIdnick college years ended, he made sure he stayed around golf. Bidnick got his PGA certification and has been a PGA professional all throughout tidewater. He was the feature PGA Golf Professional as Stumpy Lake Golf Course in Virginia Beach, where he was also the general manager. He was also the PGA Professional at Sleepy Hole Golf Course in Suffolk. He also held a PGA Professional job at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, which is one of the nicest golf facilities in Virginia. So Bidnick has had plenty of experience watching swings and knows how to maximize the potential of his players.
Bidnick has big plans for the Marlin golf program. He envisions a championship for the program in the future. Bidnick feels he will have one big challenge facing him in his new role. Bidnick said the biggest challenge is recruiting new players while staying within the NCAA recruiting guidelines.
Coach Bidnick encourages all who are interested to sign up for our men’s and women’s golf teams. If you are interested in playing golf this year, please stop by his office, 244B in the athletic office or email him at rbidnick@vwc.edu.
Patrick Suttle
pjsuttle@vwc.edu
Corey King
ckking1@vwc.edu
(Photo: Department of Sports information | Courtesy)
