Michael Masten enters his fourth season in 2026-27 after being hired on August 1, 2023.
In the 2025-26 season, Michael Masten led the women’s team back to the NCAA DII East Regional for the second straight season. This followed the Cardinals finishing third in the GLIAC Championships and winning the SVSU Spring Invitational. The men’s side finished fifth at the GLIAC Championships.
In his second season at the helm of both Cardinal golf programs, he led both teams to NCAA Regionals for the first time in program history. The men’s team finished in the top five in nine of their ten regular season tournaments and also placed fourth in stroke play and second in match play in the GLIAC Championships. The women’s team had two tournament wins, at the Davenport Fall Invitational and the Davis & Elkins Battle at Brunswick.
Masten joins Saginaw Valley State after four seasons as the head coach of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) member Aquinas. Under Masten's leadership, the Saints' men's and women's team finished third in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) tournament in 2022-23. The men's team was third the season before and the women were fourth.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to lead a program with such a rich history," said Masten. "There is great talent on the team currently, and I know that SVSU is committed to competing at the highest level. I'd like to thank Brad Barlog and the entire Hiring Committee & Administrative Staff for their trust in me to lead the program. Excited to get to work."
During his tenure at Aquinas, Masten coached the 2019-20 WHAC men's Golfer of the Year along with 10 All-WHAC golfers between the men's and women's teams. He has led the men to two first-place finishes, seven second-place finishes, and five third-place results. The women earned one first-place, two second-place, and eight third-place finishes.
Prior to his work with the Saints, Masten spent two seasons at WHAC rival Cleary while also gaining experience working the golf industry as a teacher, club professional, and instructor.
He served in various roles at golf courses including Timber Trace Golf Club, Tee Box Golf Simulators, The Grande Golf Club, Lakelands Golf and Country Club, and Arrowhead Country Club.
"From a young age, my Father and Grandfather instilled a sense of competitiveness in me that never stops flowing," stated Masten. "Golf is a game that brings about so many facets of physical and mental challenges. For me, being able to experience the game with my dad, and as a father myself, has helped me realize the value and discipline that golf can bring to people's lives. I intend to continually test my knowledge of the game, teaching philosophies, and leadership abilities to foster a culture of growth and to expand upon the success of the program."
Masten earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan in 2006 and earned his associate's degree from the Golf Academy of America in 2007 with a major in golf complex operations, merchandising, and sales.
