Bio

Elms College's new golf coach came to the sport in a roundabout way. After spending his prep school career proving a valuable member of the Suffield Academy Varsity Squash and Baseball teams, Michael Achatz joined Connecticut College's squash team as a camel. Despite two successful seasons, Achatz suffered a career-ending knee injury, taking him indefinitely away from the sport he had come to love.

Healing from that injury and in search of an outlet for his competitive nature, Achatz found golf. Fast forward to his current membership at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, MA and a scratch handicap, Achatz's reinvention of himself has proven successful. Finishing T3 in the 2023 Club Championship, hitting a career low handicap of +.03, and shooting a career low of 69 for a 2 under par score in 2022 have Achatz well set to serve as an example for Elms College's golf team members this fall.

"With all that I've learned over my years of being a student athlete both at the prep high school and collegiate levels -- and all that I have learned about golf over the past few years -- I am excited to bring a younger and enthusiastic perspective to the golf program here at Elms," Achatz shared. "I look forward to growing and reviving the golf program while honoring previously established culture and creating our own new traditions."

Interim Athletic Director Rob Southall concurs, noting Achatz's diverse experiences will serve him well in his new role. "Mike is a young professional. His background as a golfer and his teaching ability will help develop our student athletes," Southall added. "We know he will continue to grow and develop the program."