Buttner Announces Retirement at Season's End

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - After 21 years with the Tritons, esteemed Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach Bill Buttner has announced his retirement following the spring 2023 seasons.

"I am very thankful for my time here at Eckerd and the wonderful administration, faculty, and staff I have had the opportunity to work with. I have been blessed with the many student-athletes that I have gotten the opportunity to mentor through their time here as well as after graduation," stated Buttner. "The involvement I have had with alumni, parents, and friends of the golf programs has been so wonderful, and their impact on the program has been tremendous." 

"I would like to give a special thanks to Sue McDermott for all her dedication to the golf program and Eckerd College," expresses Buttner. "I'll miss my daily encounters at Eckerd and look forward to reconnecting with alumni in retirement. The support for the golf programs has directly led to the success and improvement of both programs, and I look forward to cheering on the Tritons and seeing what new heights they can reach."

Buttner joined Eckerd in the summer of 2002 as the head men's golf coach and became the head men's and women's golf coach in 2006, helping the Tritons launch the women's program in the 2006-07 season. 

"Coach Buttner has had a tremendous impact on the golf programs and the student-athletes he has mentored over his two decades with the Tritons, and I am thankful for his service, dedication, and passion over the years. Our golf programs have reached new heights in recent years, a direct reflection of his guidance and the support for the program," stated Director of Athletics Tom Ryan. "I look forward to his continued support of Eckerd College in his retirement."  

Buttner and Sue McDermott '89 started the annual Matthew T. McDermott Golf Tournament in 2003 to honor Matt McDermott, a 1989 Eckerd College alumnus who tragically passed away on September 11, 2001, in the World Trade Center. Proceeds benefit the Matthew T. McDermott Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support for outstanding Eckerd College student golfers.

Buttner led the men's program to NCAA Tournament Appearances in 2005-06, 2011-12, and 2012-13. He also produced three individual NCAA South Regional berths in C.J. Denmark (2007), Callum Georgallides (2011), and Jeff Evanier (2012). 

He coached Evanier to GCAA Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2013, the first All-American in program history. 



Buttner was tabbed the Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year in 2005 following the Tritons' men's golf third-place finish in the conference tournament and Nick Rockmann's individual SSC championship. 

The women's program has reached unprecedented heights in recent years. Laila Forstmane (2017-21) posted 11 top-25 finishes over her career and was a two-time SSC Golfer of the Week. This year the squad is ranked 48th in the nation and won their season-opening tournament at the Invite at Innisbrook while setting a single-round and two-round program record. In addition, freshman Amelie Alcantara is ranked 10th in Division II and shattered the program record earlier this fall (65 at the Palm Beach Intercollegiate) while posting all top-10 finishes this fall. 

Buttner spent 15 years in professional golf, including six years on the PGA Tour. He had five top-10 finishes overall and played in five U.S. Opens.
 
A national search for the head men's and women's golf coach will begin in the new year.