Meet The River Course Staff
John Norton
Head PGA Professional/General Manager
John assumed the duties of Head PGA Professional/General Manager at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech on December 1, 2004. He was Director of Golf at Grand Palms resort and Spa in Pembroke Pines, Florida from 2003-2004. Prior to that he was head PGA Professional at the Country Club of Miami from 1994-2003 where he had served as Director of Instruction for the PGA Tour from 1990-1994
John is a 1982 graduate of Marshall University and a former W. Virginia Junior and Intercollegiate Champion. Professionally, he participated in PGA Tour Qualifying 3 times and was the 1986 Nebraska PGA Section Champion. He was a highly respected golf professional in the Southern Chapter of the South Florida Section of the PGA of America for many years and served as President from 2001-2003. He also served the SFPGA Section Executive Committee as Awards Chairman from 2001-2004. Among his many honors are:
- 2003 - Bill Strausbaugh Award
- 2000 and 2002 - Merchandiser of the Year Award
- 2002 - Player of the Year
- 2000 - Golf Professional of the Year
John and his wife Bianca have three children.
Keith Jarrell
1st Assistant Golf Professional
Keith assumed the position of Assistant Golf Professional at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech on July 13th,2005. Previously, he was the Golf Shop manager at the Meadowlands Golf Club in Calabash, N.C. for three years. Keith is currently working toward PGA Membership after spending 20 years as a former employee of the Standard Register Company.
Keith is a 2002 graduate of the Golf Academy of the Carolinas located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He received certificates in Club Repair, Tournament Operations, Advance Teaching and The Rules of Golf. While at the academy Keith passed his Playing Ability Test at Quail Creek and received his Playing Credentials.
Before moving to the Carolinas Keith lived in Franklin County, Va. where he was a member at Willow Creek Country Club since 1990. He spent 12 years on the customer side of the counter and that experience helps him to understand exactly what golfers expect from an operation.
Keith and his wife Kay have two children and have served as Foster parents to four others.
Mark Cote
Golf Course Superintendent
Mark assumed the duties of Head Golf Course Superintendent at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech on March 1st, 2006. He was Superintendent at The Homesteads Old Course for eight years prior to coming to "The River". Prior to that he spent time at The Greenbriar and Farmington Country Club. Mark is a 1984 Graduate of Colby College and received his Associates Degree in Turf Management from Virginia Tech.
Mark and his wife Tina have been married for 6 years and they have a 4-year old daughter Eliza.
Jay Hardwick
Director of Golf Operations/Virginia Tech Head Golf Coach
A 1971 graduate of Virginia Tech, Jay returned to his alma mater in 1983 and assumed the dual role of Director of Golf for the Virginia Tech Golf Course and Head Golf Coach for the Hokies. He was promoted to the position of Director of Golf Operations/Head Golf Coach in 2003. In addition to his coaching duties, he is responsible for the staffs and overall operation of both the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech and the Virginia Tech Golf Course.
Now in his 24th season, Jay has built Virginia Tech into an elite golf program. He has used strong recruiting and the support of an outstanding group of boosters to bring the Hokies into national prominence. Hardwick was named the 2005 recipient of the Bill Strausbaugh Award presented by the Middle Atlantic PGA. This award bestows special recognition on a PGA member who has made significant contributions through mentoring of PGA Professionals and through involvement in community and charitable activities. Hardwick also received the inaugural Labron Harris Sr. Award, given by E-Z Go Textron, in conjunction with the PGA of America. This award is presented to the college or high school coach and PGA Professional whose support of the game through teaching, coaching and involvement in the community has helped ensure the continued growth of the game and represent the finest qualities the game has to offer.
A head golf professional for 33 years, Jay is a Class "A" Member, Quarter Century Club Member, and Life Member of the PGA of America. In 1994, he was inducted into the Virginia PGA Hall of Fame, making him the youngest member of this prestigious group. Jay and his wife Celia have a son Cris, daughter-in-law Melissa and grandson Jacob Dylan, who reside in Fredericksburg.
For a complete biography, view the Virginia Tech Golf media guide.
