Bio

Chris Sanford will begin his fourth year as head golf coach this fall but his 25th season (across three sports) at Shelton State Community College.  Hired in June of 2022 to resurrect the men’s golf team and start the school’s first women’s program, Coach Chris has steadily built the men’s side into a very competitive force in the conference and district while taking the women’s program to the top of the mountain in two short years.  With the men’s team, there has been solid improvement each year.  The rise in the rankings has gone from 43^rd in 2023, 33^rd  in 2024, to 26^th this past season.  The program is moving to Division II this fall, and with a really good returning group and a talented recruiting class, the team looks to make a big jump for the 25-26 season.

The women’s side has seen huge success in two short years.  The inaugural women’s team won 4 tournaments, including the ACCC Championship, and received an at-large bid to the national tournament.  Year two saw eight victories, which included another ACCC title and the South District Championship.  However, the highlight of the year was winning the first ever NJCAA Division II National Championship in Boone, Iowa on May 16^th, 2025.  All five competitors made the All-Tournament team as well as All-American. Two players earned scholarships to four-year institutions Columbus State University and Auburn University-Montgomery.

A native of Glencoe, Alabama, Coach Chris first found himself in the golf business as a student worker at The University of Alabama (UA) Golf Center in 1993.  By the time he graduated in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in history, he had become a full-time clerk and then the Coordinator of Golf for the course.  His duties included managing the pro shop staff and student workers, directing golf tournaments, and giving lessons to the public. 

While still with the golf course, Coach Chris began working with Shelton State women’s basketball in 2001.  When the golf course closed in 2003, he continued to work with the basketball team.  However, he continued playing golf as often as possible and began instructing beginning and intermediate golf classes at UA from 2005 until his full time hiring at Shelton State in 2012.  During that time, he taught hundreds of students basic and advanced skills, rules, and etiquette.     

Coach Chris moved on from basketball in June of 2021 and assumed the role of Sports Information Director, but his imprint on the Lady Buccaneer program was clear.  As assistant women’s basketball coach for 20 years (2001-2021), Coach Chris helped the Lady Bucs win almost 600 games, collect 15 ACCC championships, and reach three consecutive NJCAA Final Fours.  In February of 2022, he was coaching again.  He remained with the Lady Buccaneers, but this time as head softball coach.  Upon completion of his second stint as Interim Head Softball Coach (2005 & 2022), Coach Chris led the softball team to qualify for the post season and a third-place finish at the ACCC Tournament.

Throughout his career with different sports at Shelton State, Coach Chris has continued his love of golf and maintained a low handicap.  He organized, directed, and participated in the Shelton State Athletic Department Benefit Golf Tournament multiple times, raising money for athletic programs.  He continues regular personal play and competes in numerous team and individual tournaments every year.