Friday February 4, 2011

(Augusta, GA)-- Paine College announced the appointment of Mr. Herman Belton, Jr. as Head Golf Coach and Jones Creek Golf Club as the new home of the Paine College Golf Team.

"I am ecstatic to be here at Paine College and truly committed to growing the program as well as developing the overall performance of the young men of the Paine College Golf team.

Paine College Golf team captain, Wes Dollar mirrors the new coach's enthusiasm. "Our new coach is excited about being here and we are excited to have him aboard. Being at Jones Creek has given us access to facilities and equipment to help our game as a whole. They've really welcomed us and made this feel truly like home," Dollar said.

The golf team will now utilize Jones Creek Golf Club as their official home facility. "We are delighted to enter in partnership with Paine College for the purpose of enhancing the golf program and giving the players a great facility to practice and call home. THe golf tournament that we host here certainly was the beginning of discussions got the ball rolling to get the team here, not just once a year," Gregg Hemann, Director of Operations at Jones Creek Club.

About Coach Belton

Belton is a native of Camden, South Carolina, Herman entered the US Navy after graduating from Camden High School. Shortly after completion of his military tour of duty, which included stops in France, Spain, Italy, South America and Great Britain, Herman entered Benedict College (Columbia, SC) as a non-traditional student. There, he majored in Criminal Justice and had dual minors in Religion and Philosophy. And, it was there that he also was a stand-out player on the College’s Golf Team. In May, 2001, Herman graduated from Benedict College, receiving the Bachelor of Science degree.

His first coaching job was at his alma mater – Benedict College. Coach Belton served as Head Golf Coach for the combined men and women’s golf teams. Under his golfing tenure, Benedict College was elevated to the distinction of National Minority Division II Collegiate Champions, 2004. After taking over the South Carolina State Men team Coach Belton won the Hall of Fame Golf Tournament 2009 in Atlanta his second tournament out. He went on to have a player to win the PGA Minority Tournament in Division1 that same year and nearly breaking the course record.

From 2006-2009, Coach Belton served as the Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach at South Carolina State University. In just one year, he led the Women’s Golf Team to their first ever first-place win and facilitated their invitation to participate in the National Minority Collegiate Championship Tournament.

Coach Belton firmly believes that all persons have strengths and skills that can be developed when applied in a positive manner. To Coach Belton, he perceives the game of golf as being one of the most positive manners, thus believing that all persons can play golf even if they never get a chance to visit a golf course.