Glendora, CA (Men’s Golf) -- Former Fighting Owl Men’s Golf Coach Marsh Shumaker will be inducted into the CCCAA Men’s Golf Hall of Fame. Shumaker, who spent the better part of 40 years at Citrus as a player, assistant and head coach, will be honored next week at the 2010 CCCAA Men’s Golf State Championships.
“It was a surprise and honor to be recognized by my peers. Coaching over a long period of time you learn many things. Wins and championships are always the goal, but more important in the end is the influence you make in the lives of those you coach,” said Shumaker. “I tried to instill a value system of life skills to my players that would serve them well beyond their playing days. If I succeeded in doing that then I feel I have accomplished the greatest goal.”
Shumaker began his career at Citrus as a player on the 1970 Mission Conference Championship team. After his playing career concluded, Shumaker made his way back to Citrus in 1980 where he served as the Assistant Coach to long time Head Coach Jack Kakuuchi until 1986.
“My late coach [Jack Kakuuchi] taught me many things beyond the sport, and I tried to do the same with my players over those many years,” Shumaker said. “When I was contacted about the award by [Mt. SAC Head] Coach Mike Green, who played for Citrus in 1982 and1983, he shared his feelings with me, by saying how much of an effect I had on so many lives. Those words said it all to me.”
In 1987, Shumaker took over the reigns of the program and would stay there until his retirement in 2009. Over his 22 years career as a head coach, Shumaker helped lead the Fighting Owls to a Foothill Conference Title in 1996. Shumaker’s squads went on to qualify for SoCal and State on a number of different occasions, including his final year in 2009 when he led them to their first SoCal Finals appearance in a decade.
“Marsh has affected so many lives for the better, that I can’t even begin to tell you,” Green said. “He was my coach, and he’s very well respected throughout the coaching community. He’s not only affected the lives of many students in a positive way, but he has been a great ambassador for the game as well.”
Along with his accomplishments on the course, Shumaker was also very active within the Men’s Golf Coaches Association. Shumaker served as President of the Coaches Association from 1994-1996, and served as the Foothill Conference rep from 1990-199 and the Western State Conference rep from 2001-2009. In addition, Shumaker also served as the Tournament Director of the 1992 and 2000 CCCAA State Championships held locally at Glendora Country Club.
Shumaker will be honored on Sunday evening at the annual coaches meeting at Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont at 6:00 PM.