Bervig to return as Grizzlies' head men's golf coach

Courtesy Chris Day, ASC Associate Director of Athletics

ALAMOSA, Colo.- Alamosa native and well known golf figure Bryce Bervig will return to serve as the head coach for the Adams State College men's golf program, director of athletics Larry Mortensen announced Monday.

Bervig, who also serves as the head professional and general manager at Cattails Golf Course, a role he will continue, will begin his third stint as the Grizzlies' head coach.  He also served as the Grizzlies' head women's coach before resigning that position in 2006 to concentrate on his duties at Cattails.

"I am excited to re commit to the ASC Golf Program," Bervig said.

"I have a big heart for ASC Athletics and I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work with the team this fall." 

"We are fortunate to have Bryce back on staff. Bryce will bring stability and leadership to our program," Mortensen commented.

The athletic department has committed additional support staff to allow Bryce to focus on coaching," he noted.

A 1991 graduate of Alamosa High School, Bervig spent one year (1991-92) playing for ASC, and was the team's No. 1 player.

He then transferred to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M. to pursue a degree in that institution's Pro Golf Management program. Although Bervig did not compete for the Aggies, he did continue to pursue his passion of the sport, competing on the Western States Mini Tour in the Phoenix, Ariz. area during the 1995-96 school year, his senior year. Upon his graduation in 1996 with a double major in marketing and golf management, Bervig served-for two summers- as a teaching professional at World Golf Center in Colorado Springs. In 1998 he was Colorado's District Sales Manager for Yamaha Golf Carts.

Remaining in Colorado Springs, Bervig then took a job as the Head PGA Pro at Gleneagle Golf Course, just north of the city. In August of 2000, Bervig then made his return to Alamosa for his current position as Head Professional at Cattails Golf Club, the city's public course. There, Bervig is responsible for all areas of golf management, including lessons, pro shop operations and course organization. He has seen the teaching program expand each year and is responsible for the Junior Golf Program that has over 120 participants.

Bervig then began his collegiate golf coaching career, serving as the Grizzlies' head coach for the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.  In that time, Bervig led the squad to a fourth straight NCAA regional tournament appearance and a 2001 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship, the second consecutive title for the Grizzlies.  Three of his players also earned All-RMAC honors during those two years, including Adam Jardon who earned the distinction in back-to-back years.

Bervig then resigned his position in June of 2003 to devote more time to his family and the demands of his position at Cattails.  However, after a 1-year hiatus, Bervig agreed to rejoin the ASC coaching staff and watched two of his players- Jeff Philippe & Chris Shives- earn All-RMAC honors as the Grizzlies finished third at the 2004 RMAC Championships.  Philippe also went on to qualify for and finish fifth at the 2005 NCAA Division II Northwest/West Super Regional.

Then in 2005-06, Bervig led the Grizzlies to a fourth place finish at the RMAC Championships as Willie Edwards earned RMAC Freshman of the Year and all-conference honors.  The program was then discontinued following the 2005-06 season but was re-started in the fall of 2009 as one of the Grizzlies' six new "enrollment-based" sports that have been added over the last two years.

Meanwhile, Bervig also agreed to start up the ASC's women's program, which competed as a varsity team for the first time in 2005-06 after a year as a club team.  Serving as the team's first-ever head coach, Bervig guided Natalie Hererra and Christa Seitz to Co-RMAC Freshman of the Year accolades in the fall of 2005, a year before he gave up his women's position, again to concentrate on his family and duties at Cattails.

"I appreciate all the work that ASC and the Athletic department have done to support the golf program and am confident that with my role at the golf course along with the partnership that I have with staff at ASC, that the program will return to the competitive position it has held in the past," Bervig said.

 "I like to approach each player with the goal of preparing them for life with high attainable goals and expectations.  The golf part of this equation will be the reward for their efforts," Bervig said.

"I want each young man to focus on how their role on the golf team can strengthen their role as individuals in the community and on campus.  Golf is not just a wonderful sport.  It is a Life Skill!"

Bervig, 38, also finds time to play in a few tournaments throughout the year. He and his wife of 16 years, Kristi, have two sons- Brandon, 10 and Colin, 8.  His father Farris is the owner of Bervig's True-Value Hardware and was the former mayor of Alamosa for 24 years.