MaryJo McCloskey to be inducted into WGCA Coaches Hall of Fame
by Josh Gaunt, Oregon Golf Beat
The Women’s Golf Coaches Association announced the newest members of its WGCA Coaches Hall of Fame, with George Fox University women’s golf head coach MaryJo McCloskey joining the list of coaching legends as an inductee.
After launching the women’s golf program in 2006, McCloskey has completed 19 seasons as the head women’s golf coach at George Fox University, which is located in Newberg, Ore.
She has led the Bruins to 14 consecutive top 10 finishes at the NCAA Championships and captured the program’s first-ever NCAA National title in 2023. In her time in Newberg, McCloskey has transformed the women’s golf program into a national power – the Bruins have earned a trophy in nine of the past 13 seasons by virtue of finishing in the top four at the NCAA Championship.
“I am honestly still trying to process it. I feel deeply honored – and humbled – because I’ve never seen this journey as being about me,” McCloskey said. “It’s always been about the incredible village that built our program – the players who gave their all, the parents who supported us, and the administrators and donors who believed in us. To me, this recognition shines a light on all of them, and on what’s possible when people come together with purpose and heart.”
She reflected on this journey that has now led to her entry into the WGCA Coaches Hall of Fame.
“This honor represents the culmination of years of believing – in the process, in the power of culture, and in the idea that we could build something truly special together. I never set out to win awards; I just wanted to help young women discover confidence, resilience, and joy through golf. Seeing how far our players have come, both on and off the course, means more to me than anything. This award simply reflects that shared legacy.”
An eight-time Division III Golf Pride WGCA West Region Coach of the Year, McCloskey has coached two individual NCAA Champions, four PING WGCA Players of the Year, three WGCA Freshman of the Year honorees, 33 WGCA All-Americans, and 28 WGCA All-American Scholars.
Alison Takamiya (2024) and McKensie Toole (2021) won individual NCAA Division-III Women’s Golf Championships under McCloskey, while the program has taken fourth place at the D-III National Championships the last two years. Both Takamiya and Toole are now serving as assistant coaches for the Bruin program under McCloskey.
McCloskey also served two terms as the Division-III Director on the WGCA’s Board of Directors.
When asked how this compares to her national title, McCloskey responded, “They are definitely connected. The National Championship was an unforgettable team accomplishment – a moment when all the work, belief, and love for each other came together.
“The Hall of Fame feels like the reflection of that same journey, but from a wider lens. One celebrates a season; the other celebrates a lifetime of seasons and teams. So yes, it’s definitely up there, but only because of the same reason – it’s about our strong village. My name may be on it, but it truly belongs to all of us.”
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Monday, December 8.
(This article first appeared on Oregon Golf Beat, and is used here by permission.)
Josh Gaunt is a writer and former sports reporter for The News-Review and several other publications in southern Oregon, which included coverage of the University of Oregon. Josh manages and writes for the golf news website, oregongolfbeat.com.
