Steve Prothero

Head Coach
Office Phone: (503) 370-6484
E-mail: prothero@willamette.edu

Steve Prothero is in his 41st year as men’s golf coach at Willamette. He also coached the Bearcat women for its initial eight seasons through the spring of 2002.

Prothero’s men’s teams have won six Northwest Conference championships, seven district titles and have made seven trips to national tournaments. In addition, five individuals have advanced to national tournaments.

In his eight seasons coaching the women, the Bearcats won four NWC titles and made one trip to the NCAA national tournament. On two occasions, an individual has qualified for a national tournament.

Prothero, who’s also a professor of mathematics at Willamette, has had many of his former players become PGA teaching professionals over the years.

When Rio Kuteira became the NWC medalist last spring (2005) for the second time (he also won in 2003), he became only the fourth player since 1965 to win two NWC titles. Also in 2005, Kris Hunt became the ninth NWC player to win four consecutive all-NWC awards. Willamette's only other player to do so was Kent Clark (1991-1994).

Prothero started the WU women’s golf team in the spring of 1995 and the Bearcats won the first two NWC crowns. The Bearcats also won the Conference title in 1998 and ’99. The Bearcat men won the NWC championship in 1999, and have become Conference Champions again in 2003 and 2004..