Butler steps down as CHS boys golf coach

Gingell applies to take over, Butler could stay on as an assistant

By Charles Whisnand

Appeal Sports Editor

There will be a changing of the guard in the Carson High boys golf program, but a quite smooth transition could be waiting in the wings.

Rod Butler, who has served as the CHS boys golf coach for the past five years, has stepped down from the position. But Carson girls golf coach Terry Gingell has applied to replace Butler and if Gingell is chosen for the job, Butler would stay on as his assistant coach.

Butler said he and Gingell have talked about him serving as Gingell's assistant if Gingell is selected. But he also said he was willing to stay on as the boys golf coach if CHS couldn't find anyone to replace him.

He added that he was more than willing to step aside if the school did find someone to replace him.

"It seems like it's going to work out," said Butler about Gingell possibly taking over. "He's definitely qualified."

Butler said his assistant, Wade Greenlee, would also be able to stay on to help out with the program.

Gingell, who's a PGA Class A professional and the head golf pro at Empire Ranch Golf Course, said a condition of him applying for the position was that Bulter would still be around to help him as an assistant.

"That would be really great because he's an excellent coach," said Gingell about Butler being his assistant.

Gingell said he's going to continue to coach the CHS girls team, meaning he would be both the boys and girls golf coach if he's chosen for the boys job.

"It's a massive time commitment" admitted Gingell on coaching just the girls, let along the boys as well.

"Coaching the girls teams has been tremendous for me. I just really enjoy coaching. It's as simple as that. I'm in the golf business."

As far as his chance of receiving the position, Gingell said, "I know nothing at this point."

Gingell said he expected athletic director Bob Bateman and vice principal Pat Houlihan to make a decision in the next couple of weeks.

"I've had some informal meetings," said Gingell on talking to Bateman about the position. "I haven't been formally contacted.

"My meetings with him (Bateman) so far have been really, really good. I like his thought process."

Butler said he stepped down because he wanted to focus more on his family and work. Butler, 41, came to the area when he played at the University of Nevada on a golf scholarship.

He coached the CHS boys golf team from 2004-2008. His teams made the Northern 4A playoffs in each of his five seasons, finished as the NIAA 4A State runner-up to Spanish Springs in 2007 and won three straight Sierra League titles (2006-2008).

"I was pleased with how everything worked out," Butler said. "I was really pleased with our consistency over the years. We really seemed to be able to build a consistent program."

Carson should also have a strong nucleus back as three of the team's top golfers from last season, Jonathan Singer, Ryan Livermore and Jordan Rogers, are all expected to return. There's also Gingell's son, Garrett Gingell, who saw time last year as a freshman.

Gingell has coached the CHS girls from 2003-2007 and the program has made marked improvement under his guidance, finishing third and fourth at zone in the past two years. Gingell also said many of the boys and girls golfers in the CHS programs are playing in numerous Northern Nevada Golf Association junior tournaments this summer.

The CHS golfers are not the only ones playing this summer. Butler recently won the qualifier at Thunder Canyon Country Club to advance to the United States Amateur Public Links Championship, which begins on Monday in the Denver area.

Butler is leaving for the event today. "I'm excited and ready to get over there," he said.