Thomas Sutton Named Washington Men’s Golf Head Coach
June 02, 2026 | Men's Golf
SEATTLE – University of Washington Director of Athletics Pat Chun announced today the hiring of Thomas Sutton as the 11th head coach of the Washington men's golf program.
The hire is pending successful completion of required background check.
"We are excited to name Thomas Sutton as our new head men's golf coach," said Chun. "Coach Sutton has built a reputation as an excellent teacher and coach. He has a great understanding of the history and tradition of our men's golf program. We look forward to welcoming Thomas, Haley, and the entire Sutton Family back to Montlake."
The 2025 Jan Strickland Outstanding National Assistant Coach of the Year award winner, Sutton comes back to Montlake after a four-year stint as the associate head coach at Arizona State. Sutton served as an assistant coach at UW from 2017 to 2022.
"I'm incredibly honored to be named the next head coach of Washington Men's Golf," Sutton said. "First, I want to thank Pat Chun and Mike Dillon for believing in me and trusting me with the opportunity to lead this program. I'm also grateful for the many coaches and mentors who have helped shape me throughout my career. A special thank you to Matt Thurmond for an incredible four years."
During his time with the Sun Devils, Sutton helped the program win 13 team titles including three this season and six over the past two years. Sutton helped coach 11 GCAA All-Americans at ASU – three of which earned first team honors.
Arizona State is currently ranked No. 13 nationally by Clippd and finished 21st this past week at the NCAA Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. Sutton and the Sun Devils had three team victories at the Sahalee Players Championship, at The Wohali and the Desimone Invitational this past season.
In 2024-25, ASU finished the year ranked third by Clippd and earned the top match play seed via the stroke play portion of the NCAA Championships. The team had three wins including the Sahalee Players Championship, the Cabo Collegiate and the Thunderbird Invitational. The Sun Devils also had five second-place finishes with two coming in the postseason at the Big 12 Championships and the NCAA Bremerton Regional.
Sutton will serve as an assistant coach this summer for the United State Arnold Palmer Cup Team. The Ryder Cup-style competition will take place July 3-5 at Tralee Golf Links in Ireland.
While in Seattle, Sutton and the Huskies produced a first team GCAA All-American, an honorable mention All-American, five All-Region golfers, a Pac-12 Player of the Year and eight All-Pac-12 honorees. The Huskies earned the 2022 Pac-12 title and was part of a program that recorded 11 team wins in his five seasons as an assistant.
"Washington is a special place, and I truly believe we have everything we need to build one of the premier programs in college golf," Sutton added. "What excites me most is the opportunity to work with our players to create an environment where they can reach their full potential while having an experience they'll be proud of for the rest of their lives."
The Huskies closed the fall of 2021 on a red-hot streak, winning their final two tournaments – the Oregon State Invitational and Fighting Irish Classic – while tying for first at their own Husky Invitational. Under the watchful eye of Sutton, RJ Manke turned in a historic fall where he finished no worse than third in five tournaments and won twice. Manke climbed all the way up to No. 6 in the PGA Tour University Rankings, No. 2 in Golfstat.com and No. 16 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Manke went on to become Washington's first First Team All-American since CT Pan in 2015.
In his first season on Montlake during the 2017-18 season, Sutton instructed Second Team All-Pac-12 golfer Carl Yuan place 16th at the NCAA Championships.
Prior to his first stop at Washington, Sutton was an assistant coach at his alma mater University of Alabama at Birmingham where he spent two seasons with the Blazers. In his first season at UAB (2016), he guided the Blazers to a third straight NCAA Championship appearance by placing third at the Marana Regional.
"I can't wait to get to work with our team, alumni, and the entire Husky golf community," Sutton concluded.
Sutton's collegiate playing resume includes appearances in the 2012 Stanford Regional where he tied for 10th overall and led UAB to the NCAA Championships. Sutton also finished in a tie for 17th in the 2013 Baton Rouge Regional and guided UAB back to NCAAs in 2014. During his senior season, Sutton led the Blazers to a second-place finish at the Conference USA Championships.
Sutton graduated from UAB in 2014 with a degree in accounting. As a student-athlete, Sutton appeared on the Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll, was tabbed a UAB Student-Athlete of the Week multiple time and became the first Blazer named to a C-USA All-Academic team (2012) since 2009.
He went on to play professionally with the Hopkins Tour, National Golf Association and the Web.com Tour following graduation.
Sutton and his wife, Haley, are parents to their son Walter.
What they are saying about Coach Sutton
"Thomas is an incredible choice to carry on the legacy of UW men's golf. He is diligent, meticulous, but most importantly, a coach you want to play for. Thomas has the gifted ability to get the most out of each player which is unique in a sport where everyone plays the game differently. While maintaining high expectations, Thomas imparts a true joy for life and the game of golf onto his players that will attract the best of the best and lead to great success to come for the University of Washington Men's Golf program. Go Dawgs!" – Noah Woolsey – Husky Alum – Member of the 2022 Pac-12 Championship team and 2022 Pac-12 Individual Champion
"Thomas has been exceptional our Associate Head Coach, and my partner, over the past four years. He made a huge impact on our program. When our student-athletes learned of this last night they were emotional because they will miss him and also because they're happy for him. Thomas is a true professional and is more than ready to be a great head coach. The players, staff, recruits, and entire Husky Golf community will benefit from his relentless effort and energy. Thomas has often talked of his deep passion for UW and the Northwest, and I know he will be very successful leading the program." – Matt Thurmond – Arizona State Men's Golf Head Coach
"Thomas Sutton is exactly the kind of person you want leading a program. He brings great energy and passion every day. Thomas has true knowledge of college golf and what it takes to compete at the highest level. The Husky fan base should be really excited about this hire." – Mike Wilson – Wisconsin Men's Golf Head Coach
About Washington Athletics
Washington athletic teams have claimed 59 team national championships across 11 different sports, beginning with its first titles in 1923 in men's rowing and women's rifle, and counting its most recent national championship in men's soccer (2025) and men's rowing (2026). Traditions of Washington Athletics include 320 Olympians and Paralympians, originating The Wave during the third quarter of a 1981 football game, the familiar Huskies nickname in 1922, and its iconic Sailgating activities and encompassing view at what is known as The Greatest Setting in college football.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @UW_MGOLF on Instagram, X, Threads and Facebook and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
The hire is pending successful completion of required background check.
"We are excited to name Thomas Sutton as our new head men's golf coach," said Chun. "Coach Sutton has built a reputation as an excellent teacher and coach. He has a great understanding of the history and tradition of our men's golf program. We look forward to welcoming Thomas, Haley, and the entire Sutton Family back to Montlake."
The 2025 Jan Strickland Outstanding National Assistant Coach of the Year award winner, Sutton comes back to Montlake after a four-year stint as the associate head coach at Arizona State. Sutton served as an assistant coach at UW from 2017 to 2022.
"I'm incredibly honored to be named the next head coach of Washington Men's Golf," Sutton said. "First, I want to thank Pat Chun and Mike Dillon for believing in me and trusting me with the opportunity to lead this program. I'm also grateful for the many coaches and mentors who have helped shape me throughout my career. A special thank you to Matt Thurmond for an incredible four years."
During his time with the Sun Devils, Sutton helped the program win 13 team titles including three this season and six over the past two years. Sutton helped coach 11 GCAA All-Americans at ASU – three of which earned first team honors.
Arizona State is currently ranked No. 13 nationally by Clippd and finished 21st this past week at the NCAA Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. Sutton and the Sun Devils had three team victories at the Sahalee Players Championship, at The Wohali and the Desimone Invitational this past season.
In 2024-25, ASU finished the year ranked third by Clippd and earned the top match play seed via the stroke play portion of the NCAA Championships. The team had three wins including the Sahalee Players Championship, the Cabo Collegiate and the Thunderbird Invitational. The Sun Devils also had five second-place finishes with two coming in the postseason at the Big 12 Championships and the NCAA Bremerton Regional.
Sutton will serve as an assistant coach this summer for the United State Arnold Palmer Cup Team. The Ryder Cup-style competition will take place July 3-5 at Tralee Golf Links in Ireland.
While in Seattle, Sutton and the Huskies produced a first team GCAA All-American, an honorable mention All-American, five All-Region golfers, a Pac-12 Player of the Year and eight All-Pac-12 honorees. The Huskies earned the 2022 Pac-12 title and was part of a program that recorded 11 team wins in his five seasons as an assistant.
"Washington is a special place, and I truly believe we have everything we need to build one of the premier programs in college golf," Sutton added. "What excites me most is the opportunity to work with our players to create an environment where they can reach their full potential while having an experience they'll be proud of for the rest of their lives."
The Huskies closed the fall of 2021 on a red-hot streak, winning their final two tournaments – the Oregon State Invitational and Fighting Irish Classic – while tying for first at their own Husky Invitational. Under the watchful eye of Sutton, RJ Manke turned in a historic fall where he finished no worse than third in five tournaments and won twice. Manke climbed all the way up to No. 6 in the PGA Tour University Rankings, No. 2 in Golfstat.com and No. 16 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Manke went on to become Washington's first First Team All-American since CT Pan in 2015.
In his first season on Montlake during the 2017-18 season, Sutton instructed Second Team All-Pac-12 golfer Carl Yuan place 16th at the NCAA Championships.
Prior to his first stop at Washington, Sutton was an assistant coach at his alma mater University of Alabama at Birmingham where he spent two seasons with the Blazers. In his first season at UAB (2016), he guided the Blazers to a third straight NCAA Championship appearance by placing third at the Marana Regional.
"I can't wait to get to work with our team, alumni, and the entire Husky golf community," Sutton concluded.
Sutton's collegiate playing resume includes appearances in the 2012 Stanford Regional where he tied for 10th overall and led UAB to the NCAA Championships. Sutton also finished in a tie for 17th in the 2013 Baton Rouge Regional and guided UAB back to NCAAs in 2014. During his senior season, Sutton led the Blazers to a second-place finish at the Conference USA Championships.
Sutton graduated from UAB in 2014 with a degree in accounting. As a student-athlete, Sutton appeared on the Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll, was tabbed a UAB Student-Athlete of the Week multiple time and became the first Blazer named to a C-USA All-Academic team (2012) since 2009.
He went on to play professionally with the Hopkins Tour, National Golf Association and the Web.com Tour following graduation.
Sutton and his wife, Haley, are parents to their son Walter.
What they are saying about Coach Sutton
"Thomas is an incredible choice to carry on the legacy of UW men's golf. He is diligent, meticulous, but most importantly, a coach you want to play for. Thomas has the gifted ability to get the most out of each player which is unique in a sport where everyone plays the game differently. While maintaining high expectations, Thomas imparts a true joy for life and the game of golf onto his players that will attract the best of the best and lead to great success to come for the University of Washington Men's Golf program. Go Dawgs!" – Noah Woolsey – Husky Alum – Member of the 2022 Pac-12 Championship team and 2022 Pac-12 Individual Champion
"Thomas has been exceptional our Associate Head Coach, and my partner, over the past four years. He made a huge impact on our program. When our student-athletes learned of this last night they were emotional because they will miss him and also because they're happy for him. Thomas is a true professional and is more than ready to be a great head coach. The players, staff, recruits, and entire Husky Golf community will benefit from his relentless effort and energy. Thomas has often talked of his deep passion for UW and the Northwest, and I know he will be very successful leading the program." – Matt Thurmond – Arizona State Men's Golf Head Coach
"Thomas Sutton is exactly the kind of person you want leading a program. He brings great energy and passion every day. Thomas has true knowledge of college golf and what it takes to compete at the highest level. The Husky fan base should be really excited about this hire." – Mike Wilson – Wisconsin Men's Golf Head Coach
About Washington Athletics
Washington athletic teams have claimed 59 team national championships across 11 different sports, beginning with its first titles in 1923 in men's rowing and women's rifle, and counting its most recent national championship in men's soccer (2025) and men's rowing (2026). Traditions of Washington Athletics include 320 Olympians and Paralympians, originating The Wave during the third quarter of a 1981 football game, the familiar Huskies nickname in 1922, and its iconic Sailgating activities and encompassing view at what is known as The Greatest Setting in college football.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @UW_MGOLF on Instagram, X, Threads and Facebook and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
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