Eastern Michigan Athletics
Men's Golf
Cunningham, Bruce
Bruce Cunningham
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- bruce.cunningham@emich.edu
- Phone:
- 734.487.6703
The 2023-24 campaign marks the 30th year that Bruce Cunningham has been at the helm of the Eastern Michigan men’s golf program.
During his tenure, Eagle golfers have had some of their most successful years, finishing in the top three at the Mid-American Conference Championships in 11 of the past 18 seasons. Cunningham was named the MAC Coach of the year in 2007, 2008, and 2019. He is one of only four men’s golf coaches in league history to earn the accolade three-or-more times in a career.
In his time in Ypsilanti, Cunningham has become accustomed to the NCAA experience. The 30-year mentor placed a team or an individual in six NCAA Tournaments during his time at EMU. In 2010, Cunningham guided the Eagles to the 11th seed in the NCAA Northwest Regional. The team selection was the fourth NCAA berth in program history and the first as an at-large.
In 2009, Christopher Ross earned an at-large bid to the NCAA South Central Regional Championships in Stillwater, Okla. In 2008, the Eagles placed 14th at the NCAA Central Regional after a 15th-place showing at the 2007 NCAA East Regional, which was EMU’s first team appearance in more than 60 years. Additionally, former EMU great Korey Mahoney qualified as an individual in both the 2005 and 2006 championships.
Cunningham guided the Green and White to its second consecutive MAC Championship in 2008. Trailing by one shot heading into the final threesome of the three-day, 72-hole tournament, the Eagles’ Peter Sauerbrei completed his round with a par on the par four 18th. His Kent State opponent, David Ludlow, then missed a bogey putt and had to settle for a six to give Eastern Michigan the one-stroke victory, 1,171-1,172.
In 2007, Cunningham guided the Eagles to their first Mid-American Conference Championship. Heading into the championship’s final 18 holes, Akron held a five-stroke lead over EMU. However, that all changed as the Eagles finished the final round at one-over par 289, while UA carded a nine-over 297. For the tournament, the Green and White fired a 1,138 (285-290-274-289) to equal the school record for the best 72-hole tournament total.
At Eastern Michigan Cunningham has mentored some of the best golfers in EMU history, including Jordan Young, Ed Maunder, Brent Goulding, Rob Couture, Jaysen Hansen and Jeff Mankiewicz, Brad Pemberton, and Graham Hill as well as Mahoney.
In addition to his duties as head coach, he was also the Head PGA Golf Professional at Eagle Crest Golf Club. He has served on the Mid-American Conference Golf Coaches Advisory Council since 2001. Cunningham was also a member of the NCAA District IV Golf Committee. He previously was the Chairman of the NCAA District IV Ethics Committee from 1997-2001.
The 57-year-old Cunningham came to EMU near the end of the 1994 spring season after serving as an assistant golf professional at Oakland Hills Country Club for five years. He is a Class-A PGA Golf Professional.
While at Oakland Hills Cunningham served as one of the teaching pros, responsible for giving lessons and clinics. He also assisted in the running of the 1991 U.S. Senior Open Championship. Also from 1989-93 Cunningham was the senior tournament director for the Junior Ping Tour presented by ESPN and Golfweek.
Prior to his five years at Oakland Hills, Cunningham was an assistant golf pro at Palm Aire Country Club for the winter seasons from 1987-89. He was the assistant pro at Marion (Ohio) Country Club from 1986-88.
A 1985 graduate of Wittenberg University, Cunningham was a two-time “Most Valuable Player” on the golf team and played in four national championships. He was also captain of the squad.
Cunningham is a native of Ashland, Ohio and attended Ashland High School where he was a three-time all-conference golfer, earning “Most Valuable Golfer” honors as well as serving as captain of the squad. He also played on the basketball team, and earned third-team all-league honors in that sport.
Cunningham and his wife, Marci, have two children, Allegra and Hagen.
During his tenure, Eagle golfers have had some of their most successful years, finishing in the top three at the Mid-American Conference Championships in 11 of the past 18 seasons. Cunningham was named the MAC Coach of the year in 2007, 2008, and 2019. He is one of only four men’s golf coaches in league history to earn the accolade three-or-more times in a career.
In his time in Ypsilanti, Cunningham has become accustomed to the NCAA experience. The 30-year mentor placed a team or an individual in six NCAA Tournaments during his time at EMU. In 2010, Cunningham guided the Eagles to the 11th seed in the NCAA Northwest Regional. The team selection was the fourth NCAA berth in program history and the first as an at-large.
In 2009, Christopher Ross earned an at-large bid to the NCAA South Central Regional Championships in Stillwater, Okla. In 2008, the Eagles placed 14th at the NCAA Central Regional after a 15th-place showing at the 2007 NCAA East Regional, which was EMU’s first team appearance in more than 60 years. Additionally, former EMU great Korey Mahoney qualified as an individual in both the 2005 and 2006 championships.
Cunningham guided the Green and White to its second consecutive MAC Championship in 2008. Trailing by one shot heading into the final threesome of the three-day, 72-hole tournament, the Eagles’ Peter Sauerbrei completed his round with a par on the par four 18th. His Kent State opponent, David Ludlow, then missed a bogey putt and had to settle for a six to give Eastern Michigan the one-stroke victory, 1,171-1,172.
In 2007, Cunningham guided the Eagles to their first Mid-American Conference Championship. Heading into the championship’s final 18 holes, Akron held a five-stroke lead over EMU. However, that all changed as the Eagles finished the final round at one-over par 289, while UA carded a nine-over 297. For the tournament, the Green and White fired a 1,138 (285-290-274-289) to equal the school record for the best 72-hole tournament total.
At Eastern Michigan Cunningham has mentored some of the best golfers in EMU history, including Jordan Young, Ed Maunder, Brent Goulding, Rob Couture, Jaysen Hansen and Jeff Mankiewicz, Brad Pemberton, and Graham Hill as well as Mahoney.
In addition to his duties as head coach, he was also the Head PGA Golf Professional at Eagle Crest Golf Club. He has served on the Mid-American Conference Golf Coaches Advisory Council since 2001. Cunningham was also a member of the NCAA District IV Golf Committee. He previously was the Chairman of the NCAA District IV Ethics Committee from 1997-2001.
The 57-year-old Cunningham came to EMU near the end of the 1994 spring season after serving as an assistant golf professional at Oakland Hills Country Club for five years. He is a Class-A PGA Golf Professional.
While at Oakland Hills Cunningham served as one of the teaching pros, responsible for giving lessons and clinics. He also assisted in the running of the 1991 U.S. Senior Open Championship. Also from 1989-93 Cunningham was the senior tournament director for the Junior Ping Tour presented by ESPN and Golfweek.
Prior to his five years at Oakland Hills, Cunningham was an assistant golf pro at Palm Aire Country Club for the winter seasons from 1987-89. He was the assistant pro at Marion (Ohio) Country Club from 1986-88.
A 1985 graduate of Wittenberg University, Cunningham was a two-time “Most Valuable Player” on the golf team and played in four national championships. He was also captain of the squad.
Cunningham is a native of Ashland, Ohio and attended Ashland High School where he was a three-time all-conference golfer, earning “Most Valuable Golfer” honors as well as serving as captain of the squad. He also played on the basketball team, and earned third-team all-league honors in that sport.
Cunningham and his wife, Marci, have two children, Allegra and Hagen.
| THE BRUCE CUNNINGHAM FILE | |||
| Name: | Bruce Lee Cunningham, II | ||
| High School: | Ashland (Ohio), 1981 | ||
| College: | Wittenberg University - 1985; bachelor's in business administration | ||
| Family: | Wife: Marci; Children, Allegra and Hagen | ||
| Coaching Experience | |||
| Year | School | Position | Highlights |
| 2023-24 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Sixth-lowest four-player team scoring average at 293.8 |
| 2022-23 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Cam Kellett named All-MAC Second Team and MAC All-Tournament Team |
| 2021-22 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Ty Celone named All-MAC Second Team |
| 2020-21 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Cougar Collins named All-MAC Second Team |
| 2019-20 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Posted a 272 (-12) at the Joe Feaganes Marshall Invitational |
| 2018-19 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Tied with Kent State in a rain-shortened MAC Championship |
| 2017-18 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | |
| 2016-17 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | 54-hole team score record set at 23-under 841 |
| 2015-16 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Kyle Rodes posts runner-up showing at MAC Championships |
| 2014-15 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | |
| 2013-14 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | |
| 2012-13 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | |
| 2011-12 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Brian Churchill-Smith named All-MAC Second Team |
| 2010-11 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Brian Churchill-Smith named MAC Freshman of the Year |
| 2009-10 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | First at-large team bid to the NCAA Northwest Regional |
| 2008-09 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Chris Ross earned at-large bid to NCAA South Central Regional |
| 2007-08 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Automatic qualifier to the NCAA Central Regional |
| 2006-07 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | First MAC title in school history; Graham Hill claims medalist honors |
| 2005-06 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Korey Mahoney earns at large bid to the NCAA Central Regional |
| 2004-05 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | First runner-up finish since the 1981 MAC Championships |
| 2003-04 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | |
| 2002-03 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Brad Pemberton ties for 10th at the MACs with a 298 |
| 2001-02 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | |
| 2000-01 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Brad Pemberton and Jeff Mankiewicz place in top 10 at MACs |
| 1999-00 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Jeff Mankiewicz finished 10th at the MAC Championships |
| 1998-99 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Ed Maunder tied for third at the MAC Championships with a 284 |
| 1997-98 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | Rob Couture finished 10th at the MAC Championships with a 295 |
| 1996-97 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | |
| 1995-96 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | James Maher tied for third at the MAC Championships with a 221 |
| 1994-95 | Eastern Michigan | Head Men's Golf Coach | |
| 1989-94 | Oakland Hills Country Club | Assistant Golf Professional/Senior Tournament Director | |
| 1987-89 | Palm Aire Country Club (Fla.) | Assistant Golf Professional - Winter Seasons | |
| 1986-88 | Marion (Ohio) Country Club | Assistant Golf Professional | |
| 1981-85 | Wittenberg University | Student-Athlete | Played in three NCAA Division III National Championships |
Bruce Cunnimgham's Comments - GameAbove Golf Performance Center
Wednesday, January 17
Cam Kellett's Comments - GameAbove Golf Performance Center
Wednesday, January 17
Scott Wetherbee's Comments - GameAbove Golf Performance Center
Wednesday, January 17
President Jim Smith's Comments - GameAbove Golf Performance Center
Wednesday, January 17
